Heat pump unit and air conditioning system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a heat pump unit and an air conditioning system. The heat pump unit comprises: a refrigerant circulation assembly comprising a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator; a first water circulation assembly configured to provide water to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the evaporator; a heat exchange member in communication with the first water circulation assembly and the condenser respectively to exchange heat between the refrigerant from the condenser and the water from the first water circulation assembly; and a cooling pipeline in communication with the heat exchange member and a component to be cooled in the heat pump unit to guide the refrigerant exchanged by the heat exchange member to the component to be cooled to cool it. By providing a separate heat exchange member, the chilled water cooled by the evaporator can be fully utilized as a cold source, without the need for additional external cooling devices, thereby avoiding the introduction of additional energy consumption. Moreover, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation assembly is cooled by the heat exchange member, which not only enables the unit to operate reliably under high temperature conditions, but also reduces auxiliary cooling energy consumption and achieves energy-saving operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of refrigeration and heating technology, and in particular to a heat pump unit and an air conditioning system. Background Technology

[0002] Screw chillers are widely used in various refrigeration and heating environments due to their high reliability and wide operating range. With the continuous expansion of application scenarios, the demand for high-temperature operation capabilities of screw chillers is constantly increasing, leading to higher exhaust temperatures, oil temperatures, and motor temperatures. This not only increases energy consumption but also affects the reliability of the unit's operation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some embodiments of this disclosure provide a heat pump unit and an air conditioning system. During operation, the heat pump unit can adaptively cool the components to be cooled, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving the reliability of unit operation.

[0004] In one aspect of this disclosure, a heat pump unit is provided, comprising: Refrigerant circulation components, including compressor, condenser and evaporator; The first water circulation component is configured to provide water for heat exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator; A heat exchanger is connected to both the first water circulation assembly and the condenser to exchange heat between the refrigerant from the condenser and the water from the first water circulation assembly; and The cooling pipe connects the heat exchanger and the component to be cooled in the heat pump unit, so as to lead the refrigerant after heat exchange in the heat exchanger to the component to be cooled for cooling.

[0005] In some embodiments, the compressor includes a motor, and the cooling pipeline includes a first pipeline that connects the heat exchanger to the area within the compressor where the motor is located, in order to cool the motor.

[0006] In some embodiments, the cooling conduit includes a second conduit connecting the heat exchanger to the suction chamber of the compressor to cool the suction chamber.

[0007] In some embodiments, the cooling pipeline includes a third pipeline that connects the heat exchanger to a lubricating oil cooling channel within the compressor to cool the lubricating oil.

[0008] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a frequency converter electrically connected to the motor, and the cooling pipeline further includes a fourth pipeline connecting the heat exchanger and the frequency converter to cool the frequency converter.

[0009] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a fifth pipeline, which connects the refrigerant outlet of the frequency converter to the refrigerant-side inlet of the heat exchanger.

[0010] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a second water circulation assembly configured to provide water for heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser; the water-side outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the second water circulation assembly so that the water after heat exchange by the heat exchanger flows into the second water circulation assembly and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the condenser.

[0011] In some embodiments, the water-side outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the water-side inlet of the condenser.

[0012] In some embodiments, the water-side inlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the water-side outlet of the evaporator.

[0013] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes: A first regulating valve is located on the pipeline connecting the water-side inlet of the heat exchanger and the first water circulation assembly; and The second regulating valve is located on the pipeline connecting the refrigerant side inlet of the heat exchanger and the refrigerant side outlet of the condenser.

[0014] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a controller electrically connected to the first regulating valve and the second regulating valve, the controller being configured to control the opening of the first regulating valve and the second regulating valve and adjust their opening degree when the component to be cooled needs cooling.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes: The third regulating valve is located in the first pipeline; A controller, electrically connected to the third regulating valve, is configured to adjust the opening of the third regulating valve according to the temperature of the motor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes: The fourth regulating valve is located in the second pipeline; A controller, electrically connected to the fourth regulating valve, is configured to adjust the opening of the fourth regulating valve according to the exhaust temperature of the compressor.

[0017] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes: The fifth regulating valve is located in the third pipeline; A controller, electrically connected to the fifth regulating valve, is configured to adjust the opening of the fifth regulating valve according to the supply temperature of the lubricating oil in the compressor.

[0018] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes: The sixth regulating valve is located in the fourth pipeline; A controller, electrically connected to the sixth regulating valve, is configured to adjust the opening of the sixth regulating valve according to the temperature of the frequency converter.

[0019] In another aspect of this disclosure, an air conditioning system is provided, which includes the heat pump unit described above.

[0020] Based on the above technical solution, this disclosure has at least the following beneficial effects: In some embodiments, chilled water in the first water circulation assembly is introduced into a heat exchanger to cool the refrigerant from the condenser, further reducing its temperature. The cooled refrigerant is then transported via cooling pipes to multiple components in the heat pump unit that require cooling, serving as a cooling medium for targeted thermal management. By using independent heat exchangers, the chilled water already cooled by the evaporator in the first water circulation assembly can be fully utilized as a cold source, eliminating the need for external cooling devices and avoiding additional energy consumption. Furthermore, utilizing the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation assembly, cooled by the heat exchanger, as a cooling medium and distributed to key components as needed, achieves centralized cooling and precise temperature control. This not only effectively ensures the safe and reliable operation of the unit's core components under high-temperature conditions but also significantly reduces system auxiliary cooling energy consumption, achieving energy-saving operation and synergistic optimization of high reliability and high energy efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and form part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are used to explain the disclosure, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the disclosure. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat pump unit provided according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control flow of a heat pump unit provided according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] The labels in the attached diagram are explained as follows: 1-Refrigerant circulation assembly; 11-Compressor; 12-Condenser; 13-Evaporator; 2-First water circulation component; 3-Second water circulation component; 4-Heat exchanger components; 5-Cooling pipe; 51-First pipe; 52-Second pipe; 53-Third pipe; 54-Fourth pipe; 6-Inverter; 7-Fifth pipeline; 81-First regulating valve; 82-Second regulating valve; 83-Third regulating valve; 84-Fourth regulating valve; 85-Fifth regulating valve; 86-Sixth regulating valve; 9-Controller.

[0023] It should be understood that the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Furthermore, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The descriptions of the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are in no way intended to limit the present disclosure or its application or use. The present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully express the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the relative arrangement of components and steps, the composition of materials, numerical expressions, and values ​​set forth in these embodiments should be interpreted as exemplary only and not as limiting.

[0025] The terms "first," "second," and similar words used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. Words such as "including" or "contains" mean that the element preceding the word encompasses the element listed after it, and do not exclude the possibility of encompassing other elements as well. Terms such as "above," "below," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, this relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0026] In this disclosure, when a specific device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first or second device. When a specific device is described as being connected to other devices, the specific device may be directly connected to the other devices without an intermediary device, or it may be not directly connected to the other devices but have an intermediary device.

[0027] All terms used in this disclosure (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in a general dictionary, such as a dictionary, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as having an idealized or highly formalized meaning, unless expressly defined herein.

[0028] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0029] refer to Figure 1 Some embodiments of this disclosure provide a heat pump unit, which includes a refrigerant circulation assembly 1, a first water circulation assembly 2, a heat exchanger 4, and a cooling pipeline 5.

[0030] The refrigerant circulation assembly 1 includes a compressor 11, a condenser 12, and an evaporator 13. Further, the refrigerant circulation assembly 1 also includes a throttling device. The compressor 11, condenser 12, throttling device, and evaporator 13 are connected in sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop for cooling or heating. During unit operation, low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is drawn into the compressor 11 and compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which then enters the condenser 12, releasing heat and condensing into high-pressure liquid refrigerant. This high-pressure liquid refrigerant is then throttled and depressurized by a throttling device (e.g., an electronic expansion valve or capillary tube) before entering the evaporator 13. In the evaporator 13, it absorbs heat, forming a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which finally returns to the compressor 11, completing a full thermodynamic cycle. Optionally, the compressor 11 includes a screw compressor. Optionally, the refrigerant circulation assembly 1 also includes a switching valve, which can be located on the connecting pipeline between the condenser 12 and the evaporator 13.

[0031] The first water circulation assembly 2 is configured to provide water for heat exchange with the refrigerant within the evaporator 13. Optionally, the first water circulation assembly 2 includes a power component (e.g., a water pump) for driving the water to circulate in a closed loop. Driven by the power component, the water in the first water circulation assembly 2 flows out from the user-side end, passes through the water-side channel of the evaporator 13, and is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant on the refrigerant side of the evaporator 13, forming chilled water. This chilled water is then delivered to the user-side end to release cooling capacity into the user space. After cooling is complete, the water continues to flow out under the drive of the power component, forming a closed chilled water circulation loop.

[0032] The heat exchanger 4 is connected to the first water circulation assembly 2 and the condenser 12 respectively, so as to exchange heat between the refrigerant from the condenser 12 and the water from the first water circulation assembly 2.

[0033] Optionally, the heat exchanger 4 has mutually isolated refrigerant and water channels inside. The refrigerant-side inlet of the heat exchanger 4 is connected to the refrigerant-side outlet of the condenser 12 to receive refrigerant from the condenser 12. The water-side inlet of the heat exchanger 4 is connected to the first water circulation assembly 2 to introduce chilled water that has been cooled in the evaporator 13. In the heat exchanger 4, the chilled water exchanges heat with the refrigerant to reduce the refrigerant temperature.

[0034] Cooling pipe 5 connects heat exchanger 4 and the component to be cooled in the heat pump unit, so as to lead the refrigerant after heat exchange in heat exchanger 4 to the component to be cooled and cool it.

[0035] In the above embodiment, chilled water in the first water circulation component 2 is introduced into the heat exchanger 4 to cool the refrigerant from the condenser 12. Within the heat exchanger 4, chilled water and refrigerant undergo efficient heat exchange through isolated flow channels, further reducing the refrigerant temperature. The cooled refrigerant is then transported via cooling pipes 5 to multiple components in the heat pump unit that require cooling (such as the compressor motor, lubricating oil cooling channel, inverter heat dissipation structure, etc.), serving as a cooling medium for targeted thermal management.

[0036] The embodiments disclosed herein are applicable to high-temperature heat pump units operating in high-temperature environments or under high-load conditions. Under such conditions, the compressor discharge temperature, motor winding temperature rise, and lubricating oil temperature increase significantly, which can easily lead to efficiency degradation, lubrication failure, or even protective shutdown.

[0037] Based on this, by setting up an independent heat exchanger 4, the chilled water already cooled by the evaporator 13 in the first water circulation assembly 2 can be fully utilized as a cold source, eliminating the need for additional external cooling devices and thus avoiding additional energy consumption. Furthermore, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation assembly 1, after being cooled by the heat exchanger 4, can be used as a cooling medium and distributed to key components as needed, achieving centralized cooling and precise temperature control.

[0038] In summary, this embodiment, through multi-level utilization and distribution of internal cooling capacity, can not only effectively ensure the safe and reliable operation of the core components of the unit under high-temperature conditions, but also significantly reduce the system's auxiliary cooling energy consumption, achieve energy-saving operation, and achieve synergistic optimization of high reliability and high energy efficiency.

[0039] In some embodiments, the compressor 11 includes a built-in motor, and the cooling pipe 5 includes a first pipe 51 that connects the heat exchanger 4 to the area where the motor is located inside the compressor 11, so as to cool the motor.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the refrigerant supplied through the first pipeline 51 cools the motor, reducing insulation aging, efficiency loss, or protective shutdown caused by motor overheating, thereby significantly improving the compressor's operational reliability and lifespan. Optionally, after absorbing heat as it flows through the motor area, the refrigerant participates in compression along with the mainstream refrigerant in the compressor, and is then discharged from the compressor's exhaust side to the condenser 12. Since the cooling refrigerant originates from within the system and ultimately returns to the main cycle, no additional power consumption is required, resulting in excellent energy-saving effects.

[0041] In some embodiments, the cooling pipe 5 includes a second pipe 52, which connects the heat exchanger 4 to the suction chamber of the compressor 11 to cool the suction chamber and reduce suction superheat.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the refrigerant injected into the suction chamber through the second pipeline 52 mixes with the mainstream refrigerant and evaporates, absorbing heat and reducing the temperature of the refrigerant entering the compression chamber, thereby reducing the discharge temperature of the compressor. Furthermore, the refrigerant flow rate in the second pipeline 52 can be dynamically adjusted according to the discharge temperature of the compressor 11 (e.g., obtained through a temperature sensor installed on the discharge pipeline) to achieve control of the discharge temperature. This setup not only stably controls the discharge temperature within a safe operating range but also utilizes the refrigerant cooled by the heat exchanger 4 within the system as the injection source, eliminating the need for additional cooling devices or energy consumption, thus combining high reliability and energy saving.

[0043] In some embodiments, the cooling line 5 includes a third line 53, which connects the heat exchanger 4 to the lubricating oil cooling channel in the compressor 11 to cool the lubricating oil.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the refrigerant provided by the third pipeline 53 cools the lubricating oil, maintaining its temperature within a preset operating range. This prevents viscosity loss, lubrication failure, or carbon buildup caused by high temperatures, thereby improving the compressor's operational reliability and lifespan. Optionally, after flowing through the lubricating oil cooling channel and absorbing heat, the refrigerant can return to the refrigerant-side inlet of the heat exchanger 4 via the return pipeline, merging with the refrigerant from the condenser 12 and re-entering the heat exchanger 4 to be cooled by chilled water, thus forming a partially closed cooling sub-cycle. This configuration allows the refrigerant used to cool the lubricating oil to be repeatedly cooled and recycled within the heat exchanger 4 without discharge or additional replenishment, significantly improving the efficiency of the cascade utilization of cooling capacity. While ensuring reliable compressor operation, energy saving and efficiency improvement are achieved.

[0045] Optionally, the refrigerant flow rate in the third pipeline 53 can be dynamically adjusted according to the lubricating oil supply temperature to achieve precise control of the lubricating oil temperature, thereby maintaining the lubricating oil temperature within the optimal operating range and improving the operating reliability and lifespan of the compressor.

[0046] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a frequency converter 6 electrically connected to the motor. The frequency converter 6 is used to adjust the operating frequency of the compressor 11 to adapt to different load requirements. The cooling pipeline 5 also includes a fourth pipeline 54, which connects the heat exchanger 4 to the heat dissipation structure of the frequency converter 6, such as a cooling channel integrated inside the frequency converter housing or an external cooling plate, thereby introducing the low-temperature refrigerant cooled by the heat exchanger 4 to cool the power devices, capacitors, and control circuits in the frequency converter 6.

[0047] In the above embodiment, by using the refrigerant in the fourth pipe 54 to cool the inverter 6, the temperature rise of the inverter 6 under high load operation or high temperature environment can be reduced, and the operating temperature of its key electronic components can be stably controlled within a safe range. This effectively avoids problems such as frequency reduction protection, limited output power, reduced efficiency, or accelerated aging of components caused by overheating. Especially under the condition of long-term high-load operation of high-temperature heat pumps, this setting greatly improves the operational reliability of the electrical control system and the overall stability of the machine.

[0048] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a fifth pipe 7, which connects the refrigerant outlet of the frequency converter 6 to the refrigerant inlet of the heat exchanger 4. Optionally, a switching valve is provided on the fifth pipe 7.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the refrigerant, after absorbing heat in the cooling channel inside the inverter 6, returns to the refrigerant-side inlet of the heat exchanger 4 through the fifth pipe 7. There, it merges with the refrigerant from the condenser 12 and re-enters the heat exchanger 4 to exchange heat with the chilled water, thus being recooled. This arrangement allows the refrigerant used to cool the inverter 6 to circulate within the system, forming a local cooling loop. By guiding the refrigerant back to the heat exchanger 4 for recooling, the continuous heat dissipation capacity of the inverter 6 is maintained, and interference with the main refrigeration cycle is reduced. Simultaneously, this loop utilizes the existing chilled water in the system as a cold source, eliminating the need for an additional independent cooling device, which to some extent contributes to the compactness of the overall structure and the coordination of operational energy efficiency.

[0050] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a second water circulation assembly 3, which is configured to provide water for heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser 12. The water-side outlet of the heat exchanger 4 is connected to the second water circulation assembly 3 so that the water after heat exchange with the heat exchanger 4 flows into the second water circulation assembly 3 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the condenser 12.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the circulating water provided by the second water circulation component 3 flows through the water-side channel of the condenser 12, exchanges heat with the refrigerant on the refrigerant side inside the condenser 12, and its temperature rises after absorbing the heat released by the refrigerant. It is then transported to the user-side terminal to release heat into the user space. After releasing heat, the return water temperature decreases, and it re-enters the condenser 12 to participate in heat exchange, forming a closed cooling water circulation loop. Optionally, the second water circulation component 3 includes a power component, such as a water pump, which drives the water to circulate in the closed loop.

[0052] The water-side outlet of heat exchanger 4 is connected to the second water circulation assembly 3, allowing water drawn from the first water circulation assembly 2 and exchanged with the refrigerant in heat exchanger 4 to flow into the second water circulation assembly 3. This water can then serve as a supplementary heat source in the heating process to the user, improving heat recovery within the system. Simultaneously, this arrangement enables synergy between the first and second water circulation assemblies 2 and 3 in thermal management, helping to improve the overall heat utilization efficiency of the unit under high-temperature or high-load conditions, and to a certain extent optimizing the unit's operational stability and energy utilization level.

[0053] In some embodiments, the water-side outlet of the heat exchanger 4 is connected to the water-side inlet of the condenser 12.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the water that absorbs heat in the heat exchanger 4 is sent to the condenser 12, so that the heat carried by the water can be recovered. After further heat exchange with the refrigerant and heating up, it is used to supply heat to the user terminal, reducing the ineffective heat loss inside the system.

[0055] In some embodiments, the water-side inlet of the heat exchanger 4 is connected to the water-side outlet of the evaporator 13.

[0056] Because the evaporator 13 cools the water, the water temperature at its water-side outlet is relatively low, resulting in a lower initial temperature for the chilled water entering the heat exchanger 4. This helps to increase the temperature difference between the chilled water and the refrigerant, thereby enhancing heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, this design fully utilizes the chilled water already cooled by the evaporator 13, eliminating the need for additional refrigeration. This allows for efficient integration of cooling resources within the system, meeting multi-point cooling requirements under high-temperature conditions while also improving the overall energy efficiency of the unit.

[0057] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a first regulating valve 81 and a second regulating valve 82.

[0058] The first regulating valve 81 is located on the pipeline connecting the water-side inlet of the heat exchanger 4 and the first water circulation assembly 2.

[0059] The second regulating valve 82 is located on the pipeline connecting the refrigerant side inlet of the heat exchanger 4 and the refrigerant side outlet of the condenser 12.

[0060] The first regulating valve 81 is used to regulate the flow rate of chilled water entering the heat exchanger 4. By controlling the opening of the first regulating valve 81, the heat exchange capacity on the water side can be dynamically adjusted according to the unit's operating status or cooling requirements, thereby affecting the cooling degree of the refrigerant. The second regulating valve 82 is used to regulate the flow rate of refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 4. The opening of the second regulating valve 82 can be adjusted according to the temperature of the components to be cooled, so as to control the amount of refrigerant participating in the cooling. By coordinating the regulation of the first regulating valve 81 and the second regulating valve 82, the system can flexibly match the heat exchange capacity of the water side and the refrigerant side under different operating conditions, so that the cooling output of the heat exchanger 4 is adapted to the actual heat load of each component to be cooled. This configuration helps to improve the response accuracy and energy efficiency coordination of the internal cooling process, while providing a control basis for multi-target cooling (such as motor, lubricating oil, frequency converter, and exhaust superheat).

[0061] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a controller 9 electrically connected to a first regulating valve 81 and a second regulating valve 82. The controller 9 is configured to control the opening of the first regulating valve 81 and the second regulating valve 82 and adjust their opening degree when the component to be cooled needs to be cooled.

[0062] In the above embodiment, when the controller 9 determines that the component to be cooled needs cooling, it outputs a control signal to open the first regulating valve 81 and the second regulating valve 82, and adjusts the valve opening according to the cooling demand: for example, increasing the flow rate of refrigerant and chilled water when the cooling demand is high to enhance the heat exchange intensity; and reducing the flow rate when the cooling demand decreases to avoid over-cooling or energy waste. Through this control process, the system can allocate internal cooling resources as needed, so that the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger 4 matches the actual heat dissipation demand of each component, ensuring the safe operation of key components under high-temperature conditions while taking into account the energy efficiency and stability of the whole machine.

[0063] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a third regulating valve 83 and a controller 9.

[0064] The third regulating valve 83 is located in the first pipeline 51.

[0065] The controller 9 is electrically connected to the third regulating valve 83, and the controller 9 is configured to adjust the opening of the third regulating valve 83 according to the temperature of the motor.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the third regulating valve 83 is installed on the first pipeline 51. The controller 9 dynamically adjusts the opening of the third regulating valve 83 according to the motor temperature signal to regulate the refrigerant flow to the motor area within the compressor 11. Optionally, when the motor temperature continues to rise, the controller 9 can increase the opening of the third regulating valve 83 to increase the refrigerant supply and enhance motor cooling; when the motor temperature continues to fall, the controller 9 correspondingly decreases the opening of the third regulating valve 83 to reduce the refrigerant flow and avoid unnecessary cooling load. This control method helps maintain the motor temperature within a reasonable operating range, improving the system's operational coordination and energy efficiency under varying operating conditions.

[0067] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a fourth regulating valve 84 and a controller 9.

[0068] The fourth regulating valve 84 is located in the second pipeline 52.

[0069] The controller 9 is electrically connected to the fourth regulating valve 84, and the controller 9 is configured to adjust the opening of the fourth regulating valve 84 according to the exhaust temperature of the compressor 11.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the fourth regulating valve 84 is located in the second pipeline 52. The controller 9 adjusts the opening of the fourth regulating valve 84 according to the discharge temperature of the compressor 11 to regulate the refrigerant flow from the heat exchanger 4 to the suction chamber of the compressor 11. Optionally, when the discharge temperature of the compressor 11 is detected to be rising continuously, the controller 9 can increase the opening of the fourth regulating valve 84 to increase the amount of low-temperature refrigerant injected into the suction chamber, thereby reducing the discharge temperature; when the discharge temperature continues to decrease, the controller 9 correspondingly decreases the opening of the fourth regulating valve 84 to reduce the amount of refrigerant injected, so as to maintain stable system operation and avoid overcooling. This control strategy helps to maintain the safe operation of the compressor under high temperature or high load conditions, while optimizing the overall energy efficiency and reliability of the machine.

[0071] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a fifth regulating valve 85 and a controller 9.

[0072] The fifth regulating valve 85 is located in the third pipeline 53.

[0073] The controller 9 is electrically connected to the fifth regulating valve 85, and the controller 9 is configured to adjust the opening of the fifth regulating valve 85 according to the oil supply temperature of the lubricating oil in the compressor 11.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the fifth regulating valve 85 is located in the third pipeline 53. The controller 9 adjusts the opening of the fifth regulating valve 85 according to the oil supply temperature of the lubricating oil in the compressor 11 to regulate the refrigerant flow to the lubricating oil cooling channel in the compressor 11. Optionally, when the oil supply temperature of the lubricating oil continues to rise, the controller 9 can increase the opening of the fifth regulating valve 85 to increase the refrigerant supply and enhance the cooling effect on the lubricating oil; when the oil supply temperature continues to decrease, the controller 9 correspondingly decreases the opening of the fifth regulating valve 85 to reduce the refrigerant flow and avoid unnecessary cooling load. This control method helps to maintain the lubricating oil temperature within a suitable operating range, supports stable lubrication performance, and improves the operating reliability of the compressor and the overall system coordination under high temperature or high load operating conditions.

[0075] In some embodiments, the heat pump unit further includes a sixth regulating valve 86 and a controller 9.

[0076] The sixth regulating valve 86 is located in the fourth pipeline 54.

[0077] The controller 9 is electrically connected to the sixth regulating valve 86, and the controller 9 is configured to adjust the opening of the sixth regulating valve 86 according to the temperature of the frequency converter 6.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the sixth regulating valve 86 is located in the fourth pipeline 54. The controller 9 dynamically adjusts the opening of the sixth regulating valve 86 according to the temperature of the inverter 6 to regulate the refrigerant flow from the heat exchanger 4 to the inverter 6. Optionally, when the temperature of the inverter 6 continues to rise, the controller 9 can increase the opening of the sixth regulating valve 86 to increase the refrigerant supply and enhance the cooling of the power devices and electronic components inside the inverter; when the temperature of the inverter 6 continues to decrease, the controller 9 correspondingly decreases the opening of the sixth regulating valve 86 to reduce the refrigerant flow. This control method helps maintain the inverter operating within a suitable temperature range, supports its stable operation under high load or high temperature conditions, and improves the reliability and energy efficiency coordination of the overall electrical control system.

[0079] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 4 has a water-side flow channel and a refrigerant-side flow channel that are isolated from each other, so that the water from the first water circulation assembly 2 and the refrigerant from the condenser 12 can exchange heat efficiently without mixing.

[0080] According to the descriptions of the above embodiments, by setting up the heat exchanger 4, the water provided by the first water circulation component 2 can be used to cool a portion of the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 12. The cooled refrigerant is then used as a cooling medium and transported to key components such as the compressor motor, lubricating oil passage, frequency converter, and suction chamber via multiple cooling pipelines. Combined with the coordinated operation of the regulating valves and controller 9, the system can dynamically adjust the refrigerant flow rate of each branch based on real-time parameters such as motor temperature, exhaust temperature, lubricating oil supply temperature, and frequency converter temperature. This enables on-demand allocation of cooling resources, provides cooling supply to different components, and ensures the reliable operation of the unit under high-temperature conditions.

[0081] This disclosed embodiment integrates decentralized or passive cooling methods into a centrally controlled internal cooling system. Under high-temperature environments or high-load operating conditions, this helps maintain the core components within a reasonable operating temperature range, reducing the risk of performance degradation or shutdown due to overheating. Furthermore, since the cooling refrigerant originates from within the system and ultimately returns to the main circulation, no additional independent cooling device is required. The overall structure is compact, which is beneficial for improving the operational stability and energy efficiency of the high-temperature heat pump unit under harsh operating conditions.

[0082] When screw-type high-temperature heat pump units operate under high ambient temperatures or high load conditions, the compressor discharge temperature, motor winding temperature, lubricating oil temperature, and inverter power module temperature all increase significantly. Some related technologies typically employ independent cooling measures, such as separate oil coolers, motor cooling components, and inverter cooling fans to cool the components. These measures often lack coordinated control and have fixed cooling capacities, making it difficult to dynamically adjust according to the actual heat load. This frequently leads to insufficient or excessive cooling of the motor, lubricating oil, inverter, and exhaust, affecting the reliability of the unit's operation.

[0083] Based on this, the present embodiment uses a heat exchanger 4 to cool the refrigerant from the condenser 12 with chilled water provided by the first water circulation component 2, obtaining a low-temperature refrigerant as a unified cooling medium. This refrigerant is delivered to the compressor suction chamber, lubricating oil cooling channel, motor area, and inverter heat dissipation structure via multiple cooling pipelines. The system collects parameters such as exhaust temperature, lubricating oil supply temperature, motor temperature, and inverter temperature through the controller 9, and dynamically adjusts the opening of the regulating valves of each branch to achieve on-demand distribution and precise supply of cooling capacity, thereby improving the reliability of unit operation.

[0084] refer to Figure 2 In some specific embodiments, the specific operation method of the heat pump unit includes the following steps.

[0085] S10: During unit operation, temperature sensors located at appropriate positions monitor real-time data such as motor temperature T1, exhaust temperature T2, lubricating oil supply temperature T3, and inverter temperature T4 within the compressor. When any actual temperature T exceeds its corresponding cooling start temperature Ts, for example, motor temperature T1 is greater than the first cooling start temperature Ts1, exhaust temperature T2 is greater than the second cooling start temperature Ts2, lubricating oil supply temperature T3 is greater than the third cooling start temperature Ts3, or inverter temperature T4 is greater than the fourth cooling start temperature Ts4, the system generates a corresponding cooling demand signal and sends it to controller 9.

[0086] S20: After receiving a cooling demand, the controller 9 controls the first regulating valve 81 and the second regulating valve 82 to open simultaneously to their initial opening degree, so that chilled water and refrigerant flow into the heat exchanger 4 respectively, establishing a supply path for the cooling refrigerant and providing a basic cold source for the subsequent cooling of each branch.

[0087] S30: During the unit cooling process, the controller 9 further adjusts the opening of the regulating valve of the corresponding branch according to the real-time temperature change of each component, thereby adjusting the amount of cooling to ensure that each component is in the best cooling state.

[0088] Among them, the third regulating valve 83, the fourth regulating valve 84, the fifth regulating valve 85, and the sixth regulating valve 86 are regulating valves that control the cooling amount of each component to be cooled. For any branch, the specific control method is as follows: When the actual temperature T of the component to be cooled is less than the cooling start temperature Ts, the component to be cooled does not need to be cooled, and the corresponding regulating valve is in the closed state. When the actual temperature T of the component to be cooled is detected to be greater than the cooling start temperature Ts, the component to be cooled needs to be cooled, and the corresponding regulating valve is opened to the initial opening degree. Once the regulating valve is opened, it is controlled as follows: Continuously monitor the temperature change trend of the component to be cooled. If the actual temperature T of the component to be cooled continues to increase, gradually increase the opening of the regulating valve to increase the cooling capacity. If the actual temperature T of the component to be cooled begins to decrease, gradually reduce the opening of the regulating valve and reduce the cooling capacity as appropriate. If the actual temperature T of the component to be cooled is less than the cooling shut-off temperature Td, then the regulating valve is closed.

[0089] Furthermore, the first regulating valve 81 and the second regulating valve 82 are the main control valves for cooling, and their opening control logic is the same as that of the third regulating valve 83, the fourth regulating valve 84, the fifth regulating valve 85, and the sixth regulating valve 86. In some embodiments, the opening of the first regulating valve 81 and the second regulating valve 82 can be coordinated and adjusted according to the overall cooling requirements of the system. The controller calculates the average temperature Ta of various components such as the motor, inverter module, exhaust, and oil temperature, i.e., Ta = (T1 + T2 + T3 + T4) / 4, and adjusts the opening of the regulating valve by detecting changes in the average temperature Ta. When Ta continues to rise, the opening is increased; when Ta tends to stabilize or continues to fall, the opening is appropriately decreased to balance the supply of cold source and energy consumption.

[0090] Through the above control methods, the system can dynamically adjust the refrigerant supply according to the actual thermal state of each key component. Under high-temperature conditions, the motor, lubricating oil, frequency converter, and compression process can obtain cooling capacity that matches their heat load, which helps to maintain their operating temperature within a reasonable range. This ensures that each component of the unit can obtain the best cooling effect under high-temperature conditions, guaranteeing the safe and reliable operation of the unit.

[0091] This embodiment integrates dispersed cooling demands into a centralized cooling architecture driven by a unified cold source by setting up a heat exchanger 4. After the chilled water centrally cools the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 4, the resulting low-temperature refrigerant serves as a shared cooling medium, which is then distributed to different cooling components via multiple pipelines. The controller 9 also independently adjusts the opening of the regulating valves in each branch based on real-time monitoring data such as motor temperature, lubricating oil supply temperature, inverter module temperature, and exhaust temperature, achieving on-demand distribution and dynamic balance of cooling capacity. This solution avoids the common cooling capacity mismatch problem in independent cooling systems in related technologies. It prevents uncontrolled temperature rise caused by insufficient local cooling and reduces energy efficiency losses due to over-cooling, thereby supporting more stable and coordinated operation of the high-temperature heat pump unit under harsh conditions.

[0092] Some embodiments of this disclosure also provide an air conditioning system that includes the heat pump unit described above.

[0093] The air conditioning system provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure constructs an energy-saving heat pump air conditioning system by employing the above-mentioned heat pump unit.

[0094] During cooling or heating operation, this air conditioning system can utilize an integrated intelligent cooling architecture to cool key components such as the compressor motor, lubricating oil, frequency converter, and suction as needed, reducing efficiency degradation or protection shutdowns caused by high temperatures. This ensures stable system operation while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

[0095] Furthermore, since the cooling refrigerant originates from the internal circulation of the system and is distributed for use after unified heat exchange with chilled water in the heat exchange components, there is no need to configure an additional independent cooling device or auxiliary energy consumption equipment, which further improves the overall energy efficiency and structural compactness of the unit.

[0096] Therefore, this air conditioning system can maintain high operating efficiency even in high-temperature environments or under high-load conditions, making it suitable for application scenarios with high requirements for reliability and energy efficiency.

[0097] Based on the embodiments disclosed above, in the absence of explicit denial or conflict, the technical features of one embodiment may be advantageously combined with one or more other embodiments.

[0098] While specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat pump unit, characterized in that, include: The refrigerant circulation assembly (1) includes a compressor (11), a condenser (12) and an evaporator (13). The first water circulation assembly (2) is configured to provide water for heat exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator (13); A heat exchanger (4) is connected to the first water circulation assembly (2) and the condenser (12) respectively, to exchange heat between the refrigerant from the condenser (12) and the water from the first water circulation assembly (2); and Cooling pipe (5) connects the heat exchanger (4) and the component to be cooled in the heat pump unit, so as to lead the refrigerant after heat exchange through the heat exchanger (4) to the component to be cooled and cool it.

2. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compressor (11) includes a motor, and the cooling pipeline (5) includes a first pipeline (51) which connects the heat exchanger (4) to the area where the motor is located in the compressor (11) to cool the motor.

3. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling pipeline (5) includes a second pipeline (52) which connects the heat exchanger (4) to the suction chamber of the compressor (11) to cool the suction chamber.

4. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling pipeline (5) includes a third pipeline (53), which connects the heat exchanger (4) to the lubricating oil cooling channel in the compressor (11) to cool the lubricating oil.

5. The heat pump unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a frequency converter (6) electrically connected to the motor, and the cooling pipe (5) further includes a fourth pipe (54), which connects the heat exchanger (4) and the frequency converter (6) to cool the frequency converter (6).

6. The heat pump unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a fifth pipeline (7), which connects the refrigerant outlet of the frequency converter (6) to the refrigerant inlet of the heat exchanger (4).

7. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second water circulation assembly (3), which is configured to provide water for heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser (12); the water-side outlet of the heat exchanger (4) is connected to the second water circulation assembly (3) so that the water after heat exchange by the heat exchanger (4) flows into the second water circulation assembly (3) and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the condenser (12).

8. The heat pump unit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The water-side outlet of the heat exchanger (4) is connected to the water-side inlet of the condenser (12).

9. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water-side inlet of the heat exchanger (4) is connected to the water-side outlet of the evaporator (13).

10. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The first regulating valve (81) is located on the pipeline connecting the water-side inlet of the heat exchanger (4) and the first water circulation assembly (2); as well as The second regulating valve (82) is located on the pipeline connecting the refrigerant side inlet of the heat exchanger (4) and the refrigerant side outlet of the condenser (12).

11. The heat pump unit according to claim 10, characterized in that, It also includes a controller (9) electrically connected to the first regulating valve (81) and the second regulating valve (82). The controller (9) is configured to control the first regulating valve (81) and the second regulating valve (82) to open and adjust their opening degree when the component to be cooled needs to be cooled.

12. The heat pump unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The third regulating valve (83) is located in the first pipeline (51); A controller (9) is electrically connected to the third regulating valve (83), and the controller (9) is configured to adjust the opening of the third regulating valve (83) according to the temperature of the motor.

13. The heat pump unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The fourth regulating valve (84) is located in the second pipeline (52); A controller (9) is electrically connected to the fourth regulating valve (84), and the controller (9) is configured to adjust the opening of the fourth regulating valve (84) according to the exhaust temperature of the compressor (11).

14. The heat pump unit according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The fifth regulating valve (85) is located in the third pipeline (53); A controller (9) is electrically connected to the fifth regulating valve (85), and the controller (9) is configured to adjust the opening of the fifth regulating valve (85) according to the oil supply temperature of the lubricating oil in the compressor (11).

15. The heat pump unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: The sixth regulating valve (86) is located in the fourth pipeline (54); A controller (9) is electrically connected to the sixth regulating valve (86), and the controller (9) is configured to adjust the opening of the sixth regulating valve (86) according to the temperature of the frequency converter (6).

16. An air conditioning system, characterized in that, Including the heat pump unit according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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