Refrigeration Cycle System

Abstract

This refrigeration cycle system includes a heat source device and a control device. The heat source device performs cooling or heating of a heat medium by means of a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit, and comprises a heat medium heat exchanger, a flow rate acquiring device, and a compressor. The heat medium heat exchanger causes heat to be exchanged between the heat medium and the refrigerant. The flow rate acquiring device acquires flow rate information, which is information relating to a flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger. The compressor compresses the refrigerant. The control device changes an operating capacity of the compressor on the basis of the flow rate information, and operates the compressor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle system that adjusts the temperature of an object by using a heat medium that exchanges heat with a refrigerant. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a refrigeration cycle system that adjusts the temperature of an object such as indoor air by a heat medium such as water is known. As such a refrigeration cycle system, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a chilling unit having a heat medium heat exchanger for cooling or heating a heat medium to be supplied to a load side, a pump for sending the heat medium to the load side, and a control device for setting at least one of an upper limit drive frequency and a lower limit drive frequency of the pump. The control device in Patent Document 1 sets at least one of an upper limit drive frequency and a lower limit drive frequency of the pump based on at least one of an upper limit set flow rate and a lower limit set flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger. In addition, the chilling unit changes the drive frequency of the pump according to a change in the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger. In this way, the chilling unit stabilizes the flow rate of the heat medium, and as a result, stabilizes the temperature of the heat medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 148887 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the driving frequency of the pump cannot always be changed quickly to follow the fluctuation of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger may become unstable. In addition, if the driving frequency of the pump is changed significantly to follow the flow rate of the heat medium, the flow rate of the heat medium may become unstable, and as a result, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger may become unstable.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a refrigeration cycle system that improves the stability of the temperature of a heat medium flowing through a heat medium heat exchanger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A refrigeration cycle system according to the present disclosure includes a heat source device having a refrigerant circuit and cooling or heating a heat medium by a refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit, and a control device for controlling the heat source device. The heat source device includes a heat medium heat exchanger for heat exchange between the heat medium and the refrigerant, a flow rate acquisition device for acquiring flow rate information which is information regarding a flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant. The control device is configured to acquire the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger. of At the first pre-determined time Based on the fluctuations in Operate the compressor by varying the operating capacity of the compressor. a first correspondence information that associates the fluctuation value with a change in the operating capacity is stored, and the compressor is operated by changing the operating capacity by the change associated with the fluctuation value based on the first correspondence information. It is something. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the refrigeration cycle system of the present disclosure, the control device changes the operating capacity of the compressor based on the flow rate information. Here, the flow rate information is information related to the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger. This allows the control device to match the amount of refrigerant flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger to the flow rate of the heat medium. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle system can improve the stability of the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a heat source device including a plurality of compressors in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of a heat source device including a plurality of compressors in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an integrated control device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an integrated control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a heat source control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a control process for a compressor by the refrigeration cycle system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a control process for a compressor by the refrigeration cycle system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process for stabilizing a temperature of a heat medium by the refrigeration cycle system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a control process of a circulation device in a refrigeration cycle system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a control process of a bypass valve by an integrated control device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system in a sixth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of differential pressure flow rate information in a graph form according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system in a seventh embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a heat source device including a plurality of refrigerant circuits in a ninth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of a heat source device including a plurality of refrigerant circuits in the ninth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a refrigeration cycle system according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the size relationships between the components in the drawings may differ from those in the actual system.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system according to the first embodiment. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the first embodiment has one or more heat source devices 1 and an integrated control device 3. The one or more heat source devices 1 are connected to a load system 4 by a heat medium pipe 5 through which a heat medium flows. The one or more heat source devices 1, the load system 4, and the heat medium pipe 5 form a heat medium circuit 6 through which the heat medium circulates. The heat medium is, for example, a liquid such as water or brine. When the refrigeration cycle system 100 has a plurality of heat source devices 1, the plurality of heat source devices 1 are connected in parallel to the load system 4 via the heat medium pipe 5.

[0011] The one or more heat source devices 1 cool the heat medium and supply the cooled heat medium to the load system 4 via the supply pipe 50. Here, the supply pipe 50 refers to a pipe among the heat medium piping 5 that circulates the heat medium from the one or more heat source devices 1 to the load system 4. The integrated control device 3 controls the one or more heat source devices 1.

[0012] The load system 4 cools an object such as air or water by a heat medium supplied from one or more heat source devices 1. The load system 4 includes one or more load devices (not shown) that cool the object by a heat medium. The load device is a device having a heat exchanger. The heat medium that has exchanged heat with the object in the load system 4 passes through a return pipe 51 and flows into one or more heat source devices 1. Here, the return pipe 51 is a pipe in the heat medium pipe 5 that circulates the heat medium from the load system 4 to one or more heat source devices 1.

[0013] The heat source device 1 includes a compressor 10, a blower 11, a heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, a heat medium heat exchanger 14, a circulation device 15, and a heat source control device 16 inside a housing shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1. The heat source device 1 also includes a flow meter 17. The flow meter 17 is shown in an area surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 1, but may be included inside the housing forming the outer shell of the heat source device 1, or may be installed outside the housing. A temperature sensor 7 for measuring the temperature of the heat medium is provided in the heat medium pipe 5 downstream of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the heat source device 1. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the temperature sensor 7 is provided outside the housing forming the outer shell of the heat source device 1, but the temperature sensor 7 may be installed inside the housing. The compressor 10, the heat exchanger 12, the expansion valve 13, and the heat medium heat exchanger 14 are connected in sequence by a refrigerant pipe 18, and a refrigerant circuit 19 in which the refrigerant circulates is formed. The heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the circulation device 15 are connected by a heat medium pipe 5. Although an example in which the circulation device 15 is provided inside a housing that forms the outer shell of the heat source device 1 is shown in Fig. 1, the circulation device 15 may be installed outside the housing.

[0014] The compressor 10 draws in refrigerant from the refrigerant pipe 18, compresses the drawn refrigerant, and discharges the compressed refrigerant to the refrigerant pipe 18. The compressor 10 is an inverter compressor whose capacity can be controlled by an inverter. The capacity of the compressor 10 is the amount of refrigerant discharged by the compressor 10 per unit time. The compressor 10 can change its capacity by changing the operation frequency based on an instruction from the heat source control device 16.

[0015] The blower 11 includes a fan such as a propeller fan, a turbo fan, or a sirocco fan, and a fan drive device such as a fan motor, and guides outdoor air to the heat exchanger 12. Here, the outdoor space refers to a space other than the indoor space when the target of temperature adjustment by the load system 4 is the indoor air or water. The blower 11 in the first embodiment is capable of changing the operation frequency based on an instruction from the heat source control device 16. The heat exchanger 12 exchanges heat between the air supplied by the blower 11 and the refrigerant. The blower 11 sends the air after heat exchange in the heat exchanger 12 to the outdoors.

[0016] The expansion valve 13 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant that has flowed in from the heat exchanger 12 side and expands it. The expansion valve 13 in the first embodiment is an electric expansion valve whose opening degree can be changed based on an instruction from the heat source control device 16 and whose opening degree can be changed to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant. The heat medium heat exchanger 14 is, for example, a plate type heat exchanger, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium. In the heat medium heat exchanger 14, the heat medium is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant.

[0017] The circulation device 15 circulates the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 6. The circulation device 15 adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium sent to the heat medium circuit 6 by changing the operation frequency by the inverter. The circulation device 15 includes, for example, a pump and a pump drive device that drives the pump. The pump sucks the heat medium in the heat medium circuit 6, applies pressure to the sucked heat medium, and sends it to the heat medium circuit 6, thereby circulating the heat medium through the heat medium circuit 6. The pump drive device can change the flow rate of the heat medium sent by the pump by changing the operation frequency based on an instruction from the heat source control device 16.

[0018] The heat source control device 16 includes, for example, a microcomputer and is connected to the compressor 10, the blower 11, the expansion valve 13, and the circulation device 15 by signal lines (not shown). The heat source control device 16 outputs control signals for controlling the compressor 10, the blower 11, the expansion valve 13, and the circulation device 15 to the compressor 10, the blower 11, the expansion valve 13, and the circulation device 15 via the signal lines. The heat source control device 16 may perform wireless communication instead of wired communication with any of the compressor 10, the blower 11, the expansion valve 13, and the circulation device 15. In this case, the heat source control device 16 transmits a control signal to any of the devices by wireless communication.

[0019] The heat source control device 16 performs wired or wireless communication with the integrated control device 3. The heat source control device 16 receives instruction information from the integrated control device 3. The instruction information may include, for example, information including an instruction regarding starting or stopping the heat source device 1, or information including an instruction regarding the operating frequency of the compressor 10. The instruction information may include an instruction regarding the operating frequency of the circulation device 15. The heat source control device 16 operates based on the received instruction information. Note that the integrated control device 3 and the heat source control device 16 of a predetermined heat source device 1 may be integrated.

[0020] The flow meter 17 measures the flow rate of the heat medium flowing out from the heat source device 1. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the flow meter 17 is installed on the outlet side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14, that is, on the heat medium pipe 5 on the side where the heat medium flows out from the heat medium heat exchanger 14, but the flow meter 17 may be installed on the heat medium pipe 5 on the upstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and downstream side of the circulation device 15. Alternatively, the flow meter 17 may be installed outside the heat source device 1 on the heat medium pipe 5 on the side where the heat medium flows out from the heat source device 1. The flow meter 17 is an example of a flow rate acquisition device that acquires flow rate information, which is information about the flow rate of the heat medium flowing out from the heat source device 1. The value of the flow rate of the heat medium measured by the flow meter 17 is an example of flow rate information.

[0021] The flowmeter 17 performs wired or wireless communication with the heat source control device 16. The flowmeter 17 may also communicate with the integrated control device 3. The flowmeter 17 periodically transmits the measured flow rate of the heat medium to the heat source control device 16. The flowmeter 17 may have an internal clock and periodically transmit the measured flow rate to the heat source control device 16 according to the time indicated by the clock. Alternatively, the flowmeter 17 may periodically receive a request signal requesting a flow rate value from the heat source control device 16 and transmit the measured flow rate value according to the request signal. The heat source control device 16 transmits the flow rate value acquired from the flowmeter 17 to the integrated control device 3. The flowmeter 17 may also communicate with the integrated control device 3, or may directly transmit the flow rate value to the integrated control device 3 without going through the heat source control device 16.

[0022] The temperature sensor 7 measures the temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the heat medium heat exchanger 14. Hereinafter, the temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the heat medium heat exchanger 14 may be referred to as the outflow temperature. The temperature sensor 7 performs wired or wireless communication with the heat source control device 16. The temperature sensor 7 periodically transmits the measured outflow temperature to the heat source control device 16. The temperature sensor 7 may transmit the outflow temperature to the heat source control device 16 in response to a request from the heat source control device 16. The temperature sensor 7 is an example of a temperature acquisition device that acquires the value of the outflow temperature and notifies the heat source control device 16 of the acquired value of the outflow temperature.

[0023] The heat source control device 16 controls the compressor 10 based on the outflow temperature acquired from the temperature sensor 7, unless it is contrary to the instruction information received from the integrated control device 3. Specifically, the heat source control device 16 adjusts the operation frequency of the compressor 10 to make the outflow temperature a target temperature. The target temperature of the heat medium is determined, for example, by the performance of the load side detection device group 40 installed in the load system 4.

[0024] The heat source device 1 may include a plurality of compressors 10. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a heat source device including a plurality of compressors in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of a heat source device including a plurality of compressors in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a heat source device 1 in which a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 are provided in series with respect to the heat medium pipe 5, and FIG. 3 shows a heat source device 1 in which a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 are provided in parallel with respect to the heat medium pipe 5. Note that FIG. 3 shows a heat source device 1 including two refrigerant circuits 19 provided in parallel with respect to the heat medium pipe 5, but the heat source device 1 may include three or more refrigerant circuits 19 provided in parallel with respect to the heat medium pipe 5.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, each of the plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 is provided with a compressor 10, a heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, and a heat medium heat exchanger 14, as in Fig. 1. A blower 11 is provided in the heat exchanger 12 in each of the plurality of refrigerant circuits 19. The plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 are housed in a housing forming the outer periphery of the heat source device 1 shown by a dashed line. The heat source control device 16 is also housed in the housing. The temperature sensor 7 is provided in the heat medium pipe 5 on the side where the heat medium flows out from the heat source device 1. Although Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show an example in which the temperature sensor 7 is provided outside the housing, the temperature sensor 7 may be provided inside the housing. 2 and 3 show an example in which the flow meter 17 is provided inside the housing, on the heat medium pipe 5 on the side where the heat medium flows out from the heat source device 1, but the flow meter 17 may be provided outside the housing, or on the heat medium pipe 5 on the side where the heat medium flows into the heat source device 1. Although Fig. 2 and 3 show an example in which the circulation device 15 is provided inside the housing, the circulation device 15 may be provided outside the housing. The heat source control device 16 is disposed inside the housing.

[0026] The heat source device 1 may include a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 provided in series with respect to the heat medium piping 5 as shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 provided in parallel with the heat medium piping 5 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] Next, the integrated control device 3 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the integrated control device in the first embodiment. The integrated control device 3 includes a communication unit 30, a fluctuation acquisition unit 31, an instruction unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a number determination unit 35. The communication unit 30 communicates with the heat source control device 16.

[0028] The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 periodically acquires the measurement results of the flowmeter 17 from the heat source control device 16 via the communication unit 30. That is, the fluctuation acquisition unit 31 periodically acquires the measurement results from the flowmeter 17 via the heat source control device 16 and the communication unit 30. The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 acquires the fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the heat source device 1 at the first time by calculation or the like based on the flow rate value periodically acquired from the flowmeter 17. The fluctuation value may be the difference of the flow rate at the end of the first time from the flow rate at the start of the first time. Alternatively, the fluctuation value may be the value of the ratio of the difference to the flow rate at the start of the first time. Specifically, the ratio of the difference to the flow rate at the start of the first time refers to X when the flow rate changes by X [%] at the first time. Note that the first time is predetermined. In the following, when simply described as a fluctuation value, it refers to the above-mentioned fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. In the following description, the flow rate corresponding to the fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 during the first time period may be referred to as a fluctuation flow rate.

[0029] Here, even if the operating frequency of the circulation device 15 is constant, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 may change depending on the state changes of the load system 4, the heat medium piping 5, and the number of operating heat source devices 1. Specifically, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 may change due to fluctuations in the load side differential pressure, which is the differential pressure between the pressure of the heat medium flowing into the load system 4 and the pressure of the heat medium flowing out from the load system 4. In addition, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 may change due to the generation of scale and the like in the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the heat medium piping 5.

[0030] In a conventional refrigeration cycle system, when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger changes, the operation frequency of the circulation device is changed to suppress the fluctuation in the flow rate of the heat medium. Note that the conventional refrigeration cycle system corresponds to the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the first embodiment, and the conventional heat medium heat exchanger corresponds to the heat medium heat exchanger 14 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the conventional circulation device corresponds to the circulation device 15 in the first embodiment.

[0031] However, in the conventional control in which the operating frequency of the circulation device is changed in accordance with the change in the flow rate of the heat medium, the change in the operating frequency of the circulation device cannot follow the change in the flow rate of the heat medium, and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger may become unstable. Furthermore, the unstable flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger may cause the temperature of the heat medium to become unstable.

[0032] The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the first embodiment stabilizes the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 by changing the operation frequency and capacity of the compressor 10 in response to fluctuations in the flow rate of the heat medium. This will be described in detail below.

[0033] The instruction unit 32 instructs the heat source control device 16 of the heat source device 1 to change the operating frequency of the compressor 10 of the heat source device 1 based on the fluctuation value acquired by the fluctuation acquisition unit 31 from the flowmeter 17 of the heat source device 1. That is, the instruction unit 32 adjusts the operating frequency of the compressor 10 of the heat source device 1 via the heat source control device 16 of the heat source device 1 based on the fluctuation value acquired by the fluctuation acquisition unit 31 from the flowmeter 17 of the heat source device 1. In detail, when it is determined that the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the heat source device 1 is decreasing based on the fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the heat source device 1, the instruction unit 32 reduces the operating frequency and capacity of the compressor 10 of the heat source device 1 based on the fluctuation value. For example, when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 has decreased by X [%] at the first time, the instruction unit 32 reduces the capacity of the compressor 10 by X [%] or more.

[0034] In addition, when the heat source device 1 includes a plurality of compressors 10, the instruction unit 32 adjusts the total capacity obtained by adding up the capacities of the plurality of compressors 10 and the total compressor frequency obtained by adding up the operating frequencies of the plurality of compressors 10 based on the fluctuation value. For example, the instruction unit 32 adjusts the total capacity as follows. When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the heat source device 1 decreases by X [%] in the first time, the instruction unit 32 reduces the total capacity of the plurality of compressors 10 by X [%] or more. Hereinafter, even when the heat source device 1 includes only one compressor 10, the capacity of the one compressor 10 may be referred to as the total capacity. And, the operating frequency of the one compressor 10 may be referred to as the total compressor frequency.

[0035] The above-mentioned changes in the total compressor frequency and the total capacity with respect to the fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 are determined based on the first correspondence information described later. Hereinafter, the values ​​of the changes in the total capacity and the total compressor frequency may be referred to as compressor control values. Hereinafter, the compressor control value will be described as the value of the change in the total compressor frequency, but the compressor control value may be interpreted as the value of the change in the total capacity. The total compressor frequency may be changed by a ratio to the current total compressor frequency, such as X [%], as described above. In this case, the compressor control value is set to a ratio value of the value of the total compressor frequency to be changed to the value of the current total compressor frequency. The compressor control value may be a difference between the total compressor frequency before the change and the total compressor frequency after the change. In the case of a value of the change in the total capacity, the compressor control value may be a ratio value of the value of the total capacity to be changed to the value of the current total capacity, or may be a difference between the total capacity before and after the change.

[0036] The storage unit 33 stores the first correspondence information. The first correspondence information is information that associates a variable value with a compressor control value. When the refrigeration cycle system 100 has a plurality of heat source devices 1, the first correspondence information associates a variable value with a compressor control value for each heat source device 1. The first correspondence information is, for example, a formula that relates a fluctuation value and a compressor control value. Alternatively, the first correspondence information may be information in a table format that associates a fluctuation value with a compressor control value. The compressor control value in the first correspondence information is a value that stabilizes the temperature of the heat medium by changing the total compressor frequency by the compressor control value when the fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is a fluctuation value associated with the compressor control value. The first correspondence information is determined in advance according to the model or performance of the heat source device 1, the results of experiments conducted in advance, or the results of actual operation up to the present time.

[0037] The instruction unit 32 instructs the heat source control device 16 via the communication unit 30 to change the total compressor frequency in accordance with the fluctuation value based on the first correspondence information. The heat source control device 16 changes the total compressor frequency in accordance with the instruction from the instruction unit 32, and operates one or more compressors 10 at the changed total compressor frequency. That is, the instruction unit 32 changes the total compressor frequency in accordance with the fluctuation value via the communication unit 30 and the heat source control device 16, and operates one or more compressors 10 at the changed total compressor frequency.

[0038] In the first embodiment, a limit may be set for the fluctuation value when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 decreases. Hereinafter, the absolute value of the fluctuation value of the limit may be referred to as the limit value. When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 decreases and the magnitude of the fluctuation value is equal to or greater than the limit value, the instruction unit 32 may instruct the heat source control device 16 to change the total compression frequency to the lower limit value.

[0039] Here, the amount of heat exchanged between the heat medium and the refrigerant is obtained by multiplying the temperature difference between the heat medium on the inlet side and the outlet side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 by the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The amount of heat is also obtained by multiplying the temperature difference between the refrigerant on the inlet side and the outlet side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 by the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. Here, when the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is large and the flow rate of the heat medium is small, the heat medium may be excessively cooled by the exchange of heat between the heat medium and the refrigerant. This may cause freezing in the heat medium heat exchanger 14. Alternatively, the heat source device 1 may stop due to a drop in the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The configuration of the heat source control device 16 for preventing such a situation will be described below.

[0040] The storage unit 33 stores second correspondence information that associates a first lower limit value of the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 with a lower limit value of the total compressor frequency. The second correspondence information may be information that associates a first lower limit value of the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 with a lower limit value of the total capacity. When the refrigeration cycle system 100 has a plurality of heat source devices 1, the second correspondence information associates the first lower limit value with a lower limit value of the total compressor frequency or the total capacity for each heat source device 1. The lower limit value of the total compressor frequency corresponds to the sum of the lower limit values ​​of the operation frequencies of one or more compressors 10. The lower limit value of the total capacity corresponds to the sum of the lower limit values ​​of the capacities of one or more compressors 10 in the compressor 10.

[0041] The first lower limit value in the second correspondence information is a lower limit value of the flow rate of the heat medium within a range in which the heat source device 1 does not enter a thermo-off state when the total compressor frequency is at the lower limit value, or a lower limit value of the flow rate of the heat medium within a range in which the heat medium does not freeze in the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The first lower limit value is a value determined by the model or performance of the heat source device 1, or by a previously conducted experiment, etc.

[0042] When the value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 acquired from the flow meter 17 is equal to or lower than the first lower limit, the instruction unit 32 instructs the heat source control device 16 via the communication unit 30 to change the total compressor frequency to the lower limit total compressor frequency. In accordance with the instruction from the instruction unit 32, the heat source control device 16 changes the total compressor frequency to the lower limit total compressor frequency and operates one or more compressors 10 at the changed total compressor frequency. That is, the instruction unit 32 changes the total compressor frequency of one or more compressors 10 to the lower limit total compressor frequency via the communication unit 30 and the heat source control device 16 and operates one or more compressors 10 at the changed total compressor frequency.

[0043] Here, as described above, the heat source control device 16 changes the total compressor frequency of one or more compressors 10 based on the outflow temperature acquired from the temperature sensor 7. However, when the heat source control device 16 is instructed by the instructing unit 32 to reduce the total compressor frequency even if it is necessary to increase the total compressor frequency to make the outflow temperature a target temperature, the heat source control device 16 reduces the total compressor frequency in accordance with the instruction from the instructing unit 32.

[0044] The compressor frequency acquisition unit 34 acquires the outflow temperature directly from the temperature sensor 7 of the one or more heat source devices 1 or via the heat source control device 16 of the one or more heat source devices 1. The compressor frequency acquisition unit 34 acquires, by calculation or the like, a required compressor frequency, which is the operating frequency of the compressor 10 required for bringing the acquired outflow temperature closer to a target temperature.

[0045] Here, the necessary compressor frequency calculated by the compressor frequency acquisition unit 34 may exceed the variable range of the total compressor frequency of one or more compressors 10 in one heat source device 1. The number determination unit 35 determines the number of operating heat source devices 1 based on the necessary compressor frequency acquired by the compressor frequency acquisition unit 34.

[0046] In addition, when the refrigeration cycle system 100 includes only one heat source device 1, the integrated control device 3 does not need to include the number determination unit 35. In the following description of the number determination unit 35, it is assumed that the refrigeration cycle system 100 includes a plurality of heat source devices 1.

[0047] The number determination unit 35 acquires, by calculation or the like, the minimum number of operating heat source devices 1 required to obtain the required compressor frequency acquired by the compressor frequency acquisition unit 34. After acquiring the minimum number of operating heat source devices 1 required, the number determination unit 35 determines the number of operating heat source devices 1 based on the coefficient of performance (COP). In other words, the number determination unit 35 determines the number of operating heat source devices 1 that maximizes the coefficient of performance. The number determination unit 35 will be described in more detail below.

[0048] The number of units determination unit 35 acquires the total compressor frequency of one or more compressors 10 in each heat source device 1 from the heat source control device 16 of each of the multiple heat source devices 1 via the communication unit 30. The number of units determination unit 35 stores the upper limit of the total compressor frequency of each heat source device 1. Note that the number of units determination unit 35 may acquire an operation ratio from the heat source control device 16 of each heat source device 1 instead of the total compressor frequency. The operation ratio refers to the ratio of the current total compressor frequency to the upper limit total compressor frequency. When acquiring the operation ratio from each heat source control device 16, the number of units determination unit 35 does not need to store the upper limit of the total compressor frequency of each heat source device 1.

[0049] Here, the operation ratio or total compressor frequency when each compressor 10 operates at the highest efficiency is determined in advance. The efficiency corresponds to the coefficient of performance, and the case where each compressor 10 operates at the highest efficiency refers to the case where the coefficient of performance is maximum. The number determination unit 35 increases or decreases the number of operating heat source devices 1 so that the sum of the total compressor frequencies obtained from the operating heat source devices 1 is equal to or greater than the required compressor frequency and so that each compressor 10 operates at the highest efficiency.

[0050] When the number of operating heat source devices 1 is increased, the number determination unit 35 transmits an instruction to start operation to the stopped heat source devices 1 corresponding to the increased number of operating devices via the communication unit 30, and causes the stopped heat source devices 1 to start operation. The heat source control device 16 of the heat source device 1 that has acquired the instruction to start operation from the number determination unit 35 via the communication unit 30 causes the circulation device 15 to start operation, and then causes one or more compressors 10 to start operation. In this case, when the heat source device 1 has a plurality of compressors 10, the heat source control device 16 increases or decreases the number of operating compressors 10 so that each compressor 10 operates at the highest efficiency.

[0051] When the number of operating heat source devices 1 is to be reduced, the number determination unit 35 transmits a stop instruction to the operating heat source devices 1 corresponding to the reduced number of operating devices via the communication unit 30, and stops the operation of the operating heat source devices 1. The heat source control device 16 of the heat source device 1 that has received the stop instruction from the number determination unit 35 via the communication unit 30 stops one or more compressors 10.

[0052] In the case where a heat source device 1 in operation that has not received a stop instruction from the number determination unit 35 has multiple compressors 10, the heat source control device 16 of the heat source device 1 in operation increases or decreases the number of operating compressors 10 so that each compressor 10 operates at the most efficient rate.

[0053] Here, when the number of operating heat source devices 1 increases, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of each heat source device 1 may decrease. This may cause the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 to become unstable.

[0054] However, as described above, in the first embodiment, the fluctuation acquisition unit 31 acquires the above fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of each heat source device 1, and the instruction unit 32 changes the total compressor frequency of each heat source device 1 based on the fluctuation value. Furthermore, when the flow rate from the flowmeter 17 of each heat source device 1 is the first lower limit value, the instruction unit 32 changes the total compressor frequency of each heat source device 1 to the lower limit value. In this way, the integrated control device 3 in the first embodiment stabilizes the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14.

[0055] The hardware configuration of the integrated control device 3 in the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the integrated control device in the first embodiment. The integrated control device 3 in the first embodiment can be configured using, for example, a first processor 37, a first memory 38, and a first communication interface circuit 39 connected to each other by a first bus 36. The first processor 37 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU). The first memory 38 is, for example, a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM). The first memory 38 may be a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a flash memory such as an SD memory card, or a compact disc (CD). The first processor 37 may have an internal memory such as a ROM or a RAM.

[0056] The function of the communication unit 30 can be realized by a first communication interface circuit 39. The function of the storage unit 33 can be realized by a first memory 38. The functions of the fluctuation acquisition unit 31, the instruction unit 32, the compressor frequency acquisition unit 34, and the number determination unit 35 can be realized by the first processor 37 reading and executing various programs stored in the first memory 38 or the internal memory. All or a part of the integrated control device 3 may be dedicated hardware, such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0057] Next, the hardware configuration of the heat source control device 16 in the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the heat source control device in the first embodiment. The heat source control device 16 in the first embodiment can be configured using, for example, a second processor 161, a second memory 162, a second communication interface circuit 163, an input interface circuit 164, an output interface circuit 165, and the like, which are connected to each other by a second bus 160. The second processor 161 is, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The second memory 162 is, for example, a ROM or a RAM.

[0058] The function of the heat source control device 16 to communicate with the integrated control device 3 can be realized by the second communication interface circuit 163. The function of the heat source control device 16 to acquire measurement results from the temperature sensor 7, the flow meter 17, etc. can be realized by the input interface circuit 164. The heat source control device 16 may acquire measurement results from all or part of the temperature sensor 7, the flow meter 17, etc. by wireless communication. In this case, the function of acquiring the measurement results by the heat source control device 16 can be realized by a wireless communication interface circuit (not shown) instead of the input interface circuit 164 or together with the input interface circuit 164. The function of the heat source control device 16 to control the compressor 10, the expansion valve 13, etc. can be realized by the second processor 161, the second memory 162, and the output interface circuit 165. The heat source control device 16 may control all or part of the compressor 10, the expansion valve 13, etc. by wireless communication. In this case, the control function of the heat source control device 16 can be realized by a wireless communication interface circuit (not shown), a second processor 161, and a second memory 162 in place of or together with the output interface circuit 165. All or a part of the heat source control device 16 may be dedicated hardware such as an ASIC, a CPLD, or an FPGA.

[0059] Hereinafter, the stabilization process of the temperature of the heat medium by the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the control process of the compressor by the refrigeration cycle system according to the first embodiment. For ease of understanding, Fig. 7 shows the process when the refrigeration cycle system 100 includes one heat source device 1. When the refrigeration cycle system 100 includes multiple heat source devices 1, the process is a parallel process of steps S1 to S7 for each heat source device 1. The refrigeration cycle system 100 repeatedly executes the process of steps S1 to S7 at a first time period.

[0060] In step S1, the communication unit 30 of the integrated control device 3 acquires flow rate information from the flowmeter 17 directly or via the heat source control device 16. The flow rate information is a value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. In step S2, the fluctuation acquisition unit 31 acquires a fluctuation value of the flow rate at the first time based on the flow rate information acquired by the communication unit 30 in each of the current and previous steps S1.

[0061] In step S3, the instruction unit 32 determines whether the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 has decreased based on the fluctuation value acquired by the fluctuation acquisition unit 31 in step S2. If the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 has not decreased (step S3: NO), the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S1. If the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 has decreased (step S3: YES), in step S4, the instruction unit 32 determines whether the flow rate value indicated by the flow rate information acquired by the communication unit 30 in this step S1 is equal to or lower than the first lower limit value.

[0062] If the flow rate value indicated by the flow rate information acquired by the communication unit 30 in this step S1 is greater than the first lower limit (step S4: NO), in step S5 the instruction unit 32 determines whether the magnitude of the fluctuation value is greater than or equal to the limit value. If the magnitude of the fluctuation value is greater than or equal to the limit value (step S5: YES), the integrated control device 3 moves the process to step S7. If the magnitude of the fluctuation value is less than the limit value (step S5: NO), in step S6 the instruction unit 32 reduces the capacity of the compressor 10 based on the first correspondence information. That is, the instruction unit 32 instructs the heat source control device 16 to reduce the total capacity of one or more compressors 10 by the amount of reduction in the total capacity based on the first correspondence information, and the heat source control device 16 reduces the operating capacity of the compressor 10 in response to the instruction.

[0063] If the flow rate value acquired by the communication unit 30 in this step S1 is equal to or less than the first lower limit (step S4: YES), the integrated control device 3 moves the process to step S7. In step S7, the instruction unit 32 instructs the heat source control device 16 to change the capacity of the compressor 10 to a lower limit capacity that is a predetermined lower limit capacity, and the heat source control device 16 operates the compressor 10 at the lower limit capacity based on the instruction. After each process of step S6 and step S7, the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S1.

[0064] If the instruction unit 32 determines in step S3 that the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 has increased, the capacity of the compressor 10 may be increased before the process returns to step S1.

[0065] The integrated control device 3 is an example of a control device that changes the total capacity of the compressors 10. In addition, a combination of the heat source control device 16 and the integrated control device 3 is also an example of a control device.

[0066] The effects of the refrigeration cycle system 100 of the first embodiment will be described below. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the first embodiment includes a heat source device 1 and a control device. The heat source device 1 cools the heat medium. The heat source device 1 includes a heat medium heat exchanger 14, a flow meter 17, and a compressor 10. The heat medium heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat between the heat medium and the refrigerant. The flow meter 17 acquires flow rate information, which is a value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The compressor 10 compresses the refrigerant. When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 changes at the first time, the control device changes the operating capacity of the compressor 10 and operates the compressor 10 at the changed operating capacity. As a result, the capacity of the compressor 10 changes in accordance with the change in the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14, so that the amount of refrigerant flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14 corresponds to the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is stabilized.

[0067] When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is reduced during the first time, the control device in the first embodiment operates the compressor 10 by reducing the operating capacity of the compressor 10. Here, when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is small, the temperature of the heat medium may be excessively reduced due to the exchange of heat between the heat medium and the refrigerant. This may cause freezing in the heat medium heat exchanger 14. Alternatively, the heat source device 1 may stop due to the decrease in the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The control device in the first embodiment reduces the operating capacity of the compressor 10 in response to the decrease in the flow rate of the heat medium, so that the stop of the heat source device 1 and the freezing of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 can be suppressed.

[0068] The control device in the first embodiment operates the compressor 10 by changing the operating capacity based on the fluctuation value of the flow rate at the first time. This causes the amount of refrigerant flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14 to correspond to the fluctuation of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is stabilized.

[0069] When the magnitude of the fluctuation value when the flow rate decreases is equal to or greater than a predetermined limit value, the control device in the first embodiment changes the operating capacity to the lower limit capacity to operate the compressor 10. As a result, even if the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 decreases suddenly, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14 decreases in response to the decrease in the flow rate of the heat medium, thereby preventing the heat source device 1 from stopping and the heat medium heat exchanger 14 from freezing.

[0070] When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is equal to or lower than the first lower limit, the control device in the first embodiment changes the operating capacity of the compressor 10 to the lower limit capacity to operate the compressor 10. This makes it possible for the refrigeration cycle system 100 to suppress the stop of the compressor 10 or the freezing of the heat medium heat exchanger 14, which may occur when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 falls to the first lower limit.

[0071] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the first correspondence information corresponds the variable value to the compressor control value, but the first correspondence information may be information including a formula that corresponds the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 to the total capacity or the total compressor frequency of one or more compressors 10. Alternatively, the first correspondence information may be information in a table format that corresponds the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 to the total capacity or the total compressor frequency of the one or more compressors 10. In this case, the second correspondence information that corresponds the first lower limit value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 to the lower limit value of the total capacity or the total compressor frequency of the one or more compressors 10 is included in the first correspondence information. In the first correspondence information, a larger flow rate value is associated with a larger total capacity or a larger total compressor frequency. The value of the total capacity or the total compressor frequency in the first correspondence information is a value at which the heat medium heat exchanger 14 does not freeze or the heat source device 1 does not enter a thermo-off state when the value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 becomes a flow rate value corresponding to the value of the total capacity or the total compressor frequency, and is predetermined.

[0072] When the first correspondence information is information that associates the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 with a total capacity or a total compressor frequency of the one or more compressors 10, the instruction unit 32 controls the one or more compressors 10 to operate at the total capacity or the total frequency that corresponds to the flow rate value acquired from the flow meter 17 in the first correspondence information.

[0073] Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, an example of control of the compressor 10 in a case where the refrigeration cycle system 100 has a plurality of heat source devices 1 and the integrated control device 3 changes the number of operating heat source devices 1 will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first embodiment and the same functions as those in the first embodiment will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0074] When the determined number of operating units is greater than the number of heat source devices 1 currently in operation, the integrated control device 3 in the second embodiment reduces the total compressor frequency and total capacity of one or more compressors 10 of each heat source device 1 based on the increase in the number of operating units. In other words, when the number of operating heat source devices 1 increases, the integrated control device 3 reduces the total compressor frequency of one or more compressors 10 of each heat source device 1 based on the increase in the number of operating units, and operates the one or more compressors 10 at the reduced total compressor frequency.

[0075] The storage unit 33 stores third correspondence information that associates the increased number of operating heat source devices 1 with the compressor control value that is the reduction in the total compressor frequency or total capacity of one or more compressors 10 of each heat source device 1. The third correspondence information is, for example, a mathematical formula that represents the relationship between the increased number of operating heat source devices 1 and the compressor control value. Alternatively, the third correspondence information may be information in a table format that associates the increased number of operating heat source devices 1 with the compressor control value.

[0076] The compressor control value in the third correspondence information is a value at which the temperature of the heat medium is stabilized by changing the total compressor frequency or total capacity of the compressors 10 by the amount of the compressor control value, even if the number of operating heat source devices 1 increases by an increase number corresponding to the compressor control value in the third correspondence information. The third correspondence information is determined in advance according to the model or performance, etc. of each heat source device 1, or according to experimental results or operation results, etc.

[0077] The instruction unit 32 of the integrated control device 3 instructs the heat source control device 16 of each heat source device 1 to change the total compressor frequency of one or more compressors 10 of each heat source device 1 in operation via the communication unit 30 by the compressor control value associated by the third correspondence information with the increased number of heat source devices 1 in operation. The heat source control device 16 changes the total compressor frequency of the one or more compressors 10 in response to the instruction, and operates the one or more compressors 10 at the changed total compressor frequency.

[0078] Hereinafter, the stabilization process of the temperature of the heat medium by the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the control process of the compressor by the refrigeration cycle system according to the second embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 8 is executed in parallel with the process shown in FIG. 7. Note that the process shown in FIG. 8 is executed every time a predetermined second time has elapsed in order to suppress instability of the refrigeration cycle system 100 caused by an increase or decrease in the number of operating heat source devices 1, that is, when the heat source devices 1 start or stop operating. The length of the second time is different from the length of the first time, but may be the same.

[0079] In step S11, the number determination unit 35 of the integrated control device 3 acquires the total compressor frequency from each heat source device 1. In step S12, the number determination unit 35 acquires the total compressor frequency, which is the sum of the total compressor frequencies acquired from each heat source device 1, by calculation or the like. In step S13, the number determination unit 35 determines the number of operating heat source devices 1 so that the total compressor frequency is equal to or higher than the required compressor frequency and so that the operating compressor 10 operates with the highest efficiency. If the determined number of operating devices is greater than the current number of operating heat source devices 1, that is, the number of operating devices determined in the previous step S13, the instruction unit 32 of the integrated control device 3 causes the stopped heat source devices 1 to start operating by the increased number of operating devices. Note that the process by the instruction unit 32 to cause the stopped heat source devices 1 to start operating may be performed before step S14 described later, or may be performed in parallel with the process of step S14 or step S15, or may be performed after the process of step S14 or step S15. When the determined number of operating units is less than the current number of operating heat source devices 1, the integrated control device 3 stops the operating heat source devices 1 corresponding to the reduced number of operating units.

[0080] In step S14, the instruction unit 32 judges whether the number of operating units determined in this step S13 has increased from the number of operating units determined in the previous step S13. If the number of operating units has not increased (step S14: NO), the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S11. If the number of operating units has increased (step S14: YES), in step S15, the instruction unit 32 reduces the capacity of the compressor 10 of each heat source device 1 based on the third correspondence information, and operates the compressor 10 at the reduced capacity. That is, the instruction unit 32 instructs the heat source control device 16 of each operating heat source device 1 to reduce the total capacity of one or more compressors 10 of each heat source device 1 by the amount of reduction in the total capacity based on the third correspondence information, and the heat source control device 16 reduces the operating capacity of the compressor 10 in response to the instruction. After the process of step S15, the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S11.

[0081] The effects of the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described below. The control device in the second embodiment increases or decreases the number of operating heat source devices 1 based on the operating frequency of the compressor 10 of the operating heat source device 1 among the plurality of heat source devices 1. When increasing the number of operating devices, the control device operates the compressor 10 by reducing the operating capacity of the compressor 10 of the operating heat source device 1. As a result, even if the number of operating heat source devices 1 increases, the operating capacity of the compressor 10 of each operating heat source device 1 is reduced, and the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is stabilized.

[0082] Embodiment 3 The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the third embodiment is configured to reduce the number of operating heat source devices 1 when there are a plurality of operating heat source devices 1 and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is reduced. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the third embodiment will be described in detail below. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first to second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the third embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first to second embodiments and the same functions as those in the first to second embodiments will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0083] When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through each heat medium heat exchanger 14 of two or more heat source devices 1 in operation is reduced, the integrated control device 3 reduces the number of operating heat source devices 1. At this time, the integrated control device 3 may reduce the number of operating heat source devices 1 based on the fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through each heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the two or more heat source devices 1. Specifically, the storage unit 33 may store fourth correspondence information that associates the number of operating heat source devices 1, the fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through each heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the heat source devices 1 in the number of operating devices, and the number of devices by which the number of operating devices is reduced. Then, the instruction unit 32 may stop the heat source devices 1 by the amount of the reduction in the number of operating heat source devices 1, which is associated in the fourth correspondence information with the current number of operating heat source devices 1 and the fluctuation value of the flow rate acquired from the flow meter 17 of the heat source devices 1 in the number of operating devices. Hereinafter, the number of heat source devices 1 that is reduced in number of operating units may be referred to as the reduced number. The reduced number of heat source devices 1 indicated by the fourth correspondence information is a value at which the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is stabilized by stopping the reduced number of heat source devices 1 when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 in the heat source devices 1 of the operating number associated with the reduced number is reduced by the fluctuation value associated with the operating number. The fourth correspondence information is determined in advance according to the model or performance, etc. of each heat source device 1, or according to experimental results or operation results, etc.

[0084] When two or more heat source devices 1 are in operation, the integrated control device 3 may reduce the number of operating heat source devices 1 when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through each heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the two or more heat source devices 1 becomes equal to or less than a second lower limit value determined in advance. In this case, the storage unit 33 may store fifth correspondence information in which the second lower limit value, the two or more operating numbers, and the reduced number are associated with each other. The second lower limit value may be equal to or different from the first lower limit value, and may be, for example, a minimum flow rate value at which the heat medium heat exchanger 14 does not freeze, or a minimum flow rate value at which the operating compressor 10 does not stop. Then, when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through each heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the two or more operating heat source devices 1 becomes equal to or less than the second lower limit value, the instruction unit 32 stops the operating heat source devices 1 by the reduced number associated with the two or more operating numbers in the fifth correspondence information. The reduced number indicated by the fifth correspondence information is the number at which the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the operating heat source device 1 is stabilized by stopping the reduced number of heat source devices 1 when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the operating heat source device 1 becomes equal to or less than the second lower limit. In addition, the fifth correspondence information may correspond to the second lower limit and the number of operating heat source devices 1. In this case, the number of operating devices in the fifth correspondence information is such that the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 can maintain the second lower limit. In addition, in this case, when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the operating heat source device 1 becomes equal to or less than the second lower limit, the integrated control device 3 sets the number of operating heat source devices 1 to be equal to or less than the number of operating devices associated with the second lower limit in the fifth correspondence information.

[0085] Hereinafter, the stabilization process of the temperature of the heat medium in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the flow of the stabilization process of the temperature of the heat medium by the refrigeration cycle system according to the third embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 9 is executed in parallel with the process shown in FIG. 7 and the process shown in FIG. 8. The process shown in FIG. 9 is executed every time a predetermined third time has elapsed in order to suppress instability of the refrigeration cycle system 100 caused by an increase or decrease in the number of operating heat source devices 1, that is, the start or stop of operation of the heat source devices 1. The length of the third time is different from the lengths of the first time and the second time. However, the length of the third time may be the same as the length of the first time or the length of the second time.

[0086] In step S21, the integrated control device 3 judges whether the number of operating heat source devices 1 is two or more. If the number of operating devices is one or less (step S21: NO), the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S21. If the number of operating devices is two or more (step S21: YES), in step S22, the integrated control device 3 acquires flow rate information from the flowmeter 17 provided in the operating heat source device 1. In step S23, the fluctuation acquisition unit 31 or the instruction unit 32 of the integrated control device 3 judges whether the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the operating heat source device 1 has decreased based on the flow rate information acquired in each of the current and previous steps S22. If the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the operating heat source device 1 has not decreased (step S23: NO), the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S21. When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the operating heat source device 1 is decreased (step S23: YES), in step S24, the instruction unit 32 decreases the number of operating heat source devices 1. After the process of step S24, the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S21.

[0087] When the integrated control device 3 determines in step S23 that the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 has increased, the integrated control device 3 may increase the number of operating heat source devices 1 before the process returns to step S21.

[0088] The effects of the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the third embodiment will be described below. The control device in the third embodiment acquires flow rate information from a flow rate acquisition device such as a flow meter 17 of each of the two or more heat source devices 1 in operation. When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through each of the heat medium heat exchangers 14 of the two or more heat source devices 1 decreases, the control device reduces the number of the two or more heat source devices 1. By reducing the number of operating heat source devices 1, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through one heat medium heat exchanger 14 increases. Therefore, the temperature of the heat medium is stabilized, and the refrigeration cycle system 100 can prevent the heat source device 1 from entering a thermo-off state. In addition, the refrigeration cycle system 100 can prevent the heat medium heat exchanger 14 from freezing.

[0089] Embodiment 4 The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the fourth embodiment stabilizes the temperature of the heat medium by changing the capacity of the compressor 10 as well as the operating frequency of the circulation device 15 according to the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail below. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the fourth embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first to third embodiments and the same functions as those in the first to third embodiments will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0090] The integrated control device 3 of the fourth embodiment changes the operating frequency of the circulation device 15 of the heat source device 1 based on the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of the heat source device 1. Specifically, the instruction unit 32 increases the operating frequency of the circulation device 15 when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 decreases at the first time. That is, the instruction unit 32 instructs the heat source control device 16 of the heat source device 1 to increase the operating frequency of the circulation device 15 when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 decreases at the first time. The heat source control device 16 that has acquired the instruction increases the operating frequency of the circulation device 15 and operates the circulation device 15 at the increased operating frequency. Hereinafter, the operating frequency of the circulation device 15 may be referred to as the circulation frequency.

[0091] The instruction unit 32 may change the circulation frequency based on the fluctuation value obtained by the fluctuation acquisition unit 31. In this case, the storage unit 33 may store sixth correspondence information that associates the fluctuation value with the circulation control value. The circulation control value is a value corresponding to the change in the circulation frequency obtained by the instruction unit 32. The circulation control value may be the difference between the circulation frequency before and after the change, or may be the ratio of the difference to the circulation frequency before the change. The instruction unit 32 changes the circulation frequency by the fluctuation value obtained by the fluctuation acquisition unit 31 and the circulation control value associated by the sixth correspondence information. Therefore, when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 decreases, the circulation frequency increases according to the fluctuation value of the flow rate.

[0092] The sixth correspondence information may be information including a formula expressing the relationship between the fluctuation value and the circulation control value, or may be information in a table format associating the fluctuation value with the circulation control value. The circulation control value in the sixth correspondence information is a value at which the flow rate and temperature of the heat medium are stabilized by changing the circulation frequency by the circulation control value when the fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 becomes the fluctuation value associated with the circulation control value. The sixth correspondence information is determined in advance according to the model or performance of the heat source device 1, or according to experimental results or operation results.

[0093] In addition to the above, the sixth correspondence information may be information including a formula that associates the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 with the circulation frequency, or may be information in a table format that associates the flow rate with the circulation frequency. In the sixth correspondence information, a larger circulation frequency is associated with a smaller flow rate value. The value of the circulation frequency in the sixth correspondence information is a value at which the heat medium heat exchanger 14 does not freeze or the heat source device 1 does not enter a thermo-off state when the value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 becomes the flow rate value associated with the value of the circulation frequency, and is predetermined. The instruction unit 32 controls the circulation device 15 to operate at the circulation frequency associated with the value of the flow rate acquired from the flowmeter 17 of the heat source device 1 in the sixth correspondence information.

[0094] Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a flow of control processing of a circulation device by the refrigeration cycle system according to the fourth embodiment. The processing shown in Fig. 10 is executed in parallel with the processing shown in Fig. 7. For ease of understanding, Fig. 10 shows processing in the case where the refrigeration cycle system 100 includes one heat source device 1. In the case where the refrigeration cycle system 100 includes multiple heat source devices 1, processing is performed in parallel from step S31 to step S33 for each heat source device 1. The refrigeration cycle system 100 repeatedly executes the processing from step S31 to step S33 at a first time period.

[0095] The process of step S31 is the same as the process of step S1 described above. The integrated control device 3 may perform the process of step S1 without performing the process of step S31, and then perform the process of step S32. The process of step S32 is the same as the process of step S3 described above. The integrated control device 3 may perform the process of step S3 without performing the process of step S32. Then, when it is determined in step S3 that the flow rate has decreased, the integrated control device 3 may perform the process of step S33. When it is determined in step S3 or step S32 that the flow rate has not decreased, the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S31.

[0096] When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is decreased (step S32: YES), in step S33, the instruction unit 32 of the integrated control device 3 increases the circulation frequency. Then, the instruction unit 32 operates the circulation device 15 at the increased circulation frequency. After the process of step S33, the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S31.

[0097] The effects of the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described below. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the fourth embodiment further includes a circulation device 15 that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The control device changes the operation frequency of the circulation device 15 based on flow rate information acquired from a flow rate acquisition device such as a flow meter 17. The control device then operates the circulation device 15 at the changed operation frequency. The refrigeration cycle system 100 can adjust the flow rate of the heat medium to match the flow rate of the refrigerant by changing the capacity of the compressor 10 based on the flow rate information and by changing the operation frequency of the circulation device 15. Specifically, the refrigeration cycle system 100 can reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and increase the flow rate of the heat medium, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the heat medium.

[0098] Embodiment 5. The integrated control device 3 in the fifth embodiment stabilizes the flow rate and temperature of the heat medium by changing the opening degree of a bypass valve 8 (described later) according to the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the fifth embodiment will be described in detail below. In the fifth embodiment, the same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the fifth embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first to fourth embodiments and the same functions as those in the first to fourth embodiments will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0099] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system according to a fifth embodiment. The heat source device 1 in the fifth embodiment may be the heat source device 1 shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 instead of FIG. 11. Alternatively, the heat source device 1 in the fifth embodiment may include a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 provided in series with respect to the heat medium pipe 5 as shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 provided in parallel with respect to the heat medium pipe 5 as shown in FIG. 3. The heat medium circuit 6 in the fifth embodiment is provided with a bypass pipe 52 connected in parallel with the load system 4 for one or more heat source devices 1. The bypass pipe 52 is connected to the outgoing pipe 50 and the return pipe 51. A part of the heat medium flowing out of one or more heat source devices 1 flows into the bypass pipe 52. The bypass pipe 52 is provided with a bypass valve 8.

[0100] The bypass valve 8 adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the load system 4. The bypass valve 8 communicates with the integrated control device 3 by wired or wireless communication, and changes its opening degree based on a control signal received from the integrated control device 3. The change in the opening degree of the bypass valve 8 changes the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the bypass piping 52. When the bypass valve 8 is not in a fully closed state, a part of the heat medium flowing out from the one or more heat source devices 1 passes through the bypass piping 52 and returns to the one or more heat source devices 1. The bypass piping 52 and the bypass valve 8 make it possible to adjust the flow rate of the heat medium to the load system 4.

[0101] The integrated control device 3 according to the fifth embodiment changes the opening degree of the bypass valve 8 according to the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The integrated control device 3 transmits a control signal to the bypass valve 8 to instruct the opening degree to be changed based on flow rate information acquired from a flow rate acquisition device such as a flow meter 17 provided in one or more heat source devices 1. Here, the integrated control device 3 may acquire a fluctuation value based on the flow rate information, and change the opening degree of the bypass valve 8 based on the fluctuation value. In this case, the storage unit 33 of the integrated control device 3 may store seventh correspondence information that associates the fluctuation value with the opening degree control value, and the instruction unit 32 may change the opening degree of the bypass valve 8 based on the seventh correspondence information. The opening degree control value refers to the change in the opening degree of the bypass valve 8 by the instruction unit 32. The opening degree control value may be the difference in the opening degree before and after the change, or may be the ratio of the difference to the opening degree before the change. The opening control value in the seventh correspondence information is a value that, when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 fluctuates by a fluctuation value corresponding to the opening control value, the opening of the bypass valve 8 changes by the opening control value, thereby stabilizing the flow rate and temperature of the heat medium. The opening control value is determined in advance according to the model or performance, etc., of one or more heat source devices 1 or bypass valve 8, or according to experimental results, operation results, etc.

[0102] In addition to the above, the seventh correspondence information may be information such as a formula that associates the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 with the opening degree of the bypass valve 8. The value of the opening degree of the bypass valve 8 in the seventh correspondence information is a value at which the heat medium heat exchanger 14 does not freeze or does not enter a thermo-off state when the value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 becomes a flow rate value corresponding to the value of the opening degree, and is determined in advance. The integrated control device 3 controls the opening degree of the bypass valve 8 to the opening degree associated in the seventh correspondence information with the flow rate information acquired from a flow rate acquisition device such as the flow meter 17.

[0103] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a control process of the bypass valve by the integrated control device in the fifth embodiment. The control process of the bypass valve 8 shown in FIG. 12 is executed in parallel with the processes shown in FIGS. 7 to 10. The process of FIG. 12 is executed, for example, every first hour. Note that FIG. 12 shows the process of adjusting the aperture of the bypass valve 8 when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 of one or more heat source devices 1 is reduced. The process of changing the aperture of the bypass valve 8 shown in FIG. 12 is an example of a process of stabilizing the temperature of the heat medium.

[0104] The process of step S41 is the same as the process of step S1 described above. The integrated control device 3 may perform the process of step S1 without performing the process of step S41, and then perform the process of step S42. The process of step S42 is the same as the process of step S3. The integrated control device 3 may perform the process of step S3 without performing the process of step S42. Then, when the integrated control device 3 determines in step S3 that the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 has decreased, it may perform the process of step S43. When it is determined in step S3 or step S42 that the flow rate of the heat medium has not decreased, the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S41.

[0105] When the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is decreased (step S42: YES), in step S43, the instruction unit 32 of the integrated control device 3 changes the opening degree of the bypass valve 8. After the process of step S43, the refrigeration cycle system 100 returns the process to step S41.

[0106] The effects of the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the fifth embodiment will be described below. The heat source device 1 in the fifth embodiment is connected to a load system 4 that cools or heats an object by a heat medium through a heat medium pipe 5 that circulates the heat medium to form a heat medium circuit 6. The heat medium circuit 6 is provided with a bypass pipe 52 connected in parallel to the load system 4. The bypass pipe 52 is provided with a bypass valve 8 that adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium flowing to the load system 4. The control device changes the opening degree of the bypass valve 8 according to the fluctuation of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The refrigeration cycle system 100 can adjust the flow rate of the heat medium to match the flow rate of the refrigerant by changing the capacity of the compressor 10 based on the fluctuation value and by changing the opening degree of the bypass valve 8. Specifically, the refrigeration cycle system 100 can reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and increase the flow rate of the heat medium, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the heat medium.

[0107] Embodiment 6 In the first to fifth embodiments, the flow rate information is obtained by the flowmeter 17. In the sixth embodiment, the flow rate information is obtained by a differential pressure gauge 20, which will be described later, instead of the flowmeter 17. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the sixth embodiment will be described in detail below. In the sixth embodiment, the same components as those in the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the sixth embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first to fifth embodiments and the same functions as those in the first to fifth embodiments will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0108] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system in the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 13, the load system 4 or the combination of the load system 4, the bypass pipe 52, and the bypass valve 8 is omitted. The heat source device 1 in the sixth embodiment includes a differential pressure gauge 20 instead of the flow meter 17 described above. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the differential pressure gauge 20 is installed inside a housing that configures the outer shell of the heat source device 1, but the differential pressure gauge 20 may be installed outside the heat source device 1. The heat source device 1 in the sixth embodiment may be the heat source device 1 shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 instead of the heat source device 1 shown in FIG. 13, in which the flow meter 17 is replaced with the differential pressure gauge 20. Alternatively, the heat source device 1 in the sixth embodiment may be a heat source device 1 including a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 arranged in series with respect to the heat medium piping 5 as shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 arranged in parallel with the heat medium piping 5 as shown in FIG. 3, in which the flow meter 17 is replaced with a differential pressure gauge 20.

[0109] The differential pressure gauge 20 is connected to the heat medium pipes 5 on the upstream side and downstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The differential pressure gauge 20 measures the pressure difference between the pressure of the heat medium in the heat medium pipes 5 on the upstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the pressure of the heat medium in the heat medium pipes 5 on the downstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The differential pressure gauge 20 is an example of the flow rate acquisition device described above. The value of the differential pressure measured by the differential pressure gauge 20 is an example of flow rate information.

[0110] In addition, when the heat source device 1 in the sixth embodiment includes a plurality of heat medium heat exchangers 14 connected in series as shown in FIG. 2, the differential pressure gauge 20 is connected to each of the heat medium pipes 5 on the upstream side and downstream side of any one of the plurality of heat medium heat exchangers 14. Alternatively, the differential pressure gauge 20 may be connected to each of the heat medium pipes 5 on the upstream side and downstream side of two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14. When the differential pressure gauge 20 is connected to each of the heat medium pipes 5 on the upstream side and downstream side of two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14, it measures the differential pressure between the pressure of the heat medium in the heat medium pipes 5 on the upstream side of the two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14 and the pressure of the heat medium in the heat medium pipes 5 on the downstream side of the two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14.

[0111] The integrated control device 3 periodically acquires the differential pressure value, which is the measurement result, from the differential pressure gauge 20. The period during which the integrated control device 3 acquires the differential pressure value from the differential pressure gauge 20 is defined as a first time. The integrated control device 3 may acquire the differential pressure value from the differential pressure gauge 20 via the heat source control device 16.

[0112] The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 of the integrated control device 3 acquires the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 by calculation or the like based on the value of the differential pressure obtained from the differential pressure gauge 20. The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 acquires the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 based on the differential pressure flow rate information. The differential pressure flow rate information is information such as a formula that indicates the relationship between the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the differential pressure between the pressure of the heat medium on each of the upstream side and downstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The differential pressure flow rate information may be information in the form of a table that indicates the relationship between the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the differential pressure between the pressure of the heat medium on each of the upstream side and downstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14.

[0113] Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graph of differential pressure flow rate information in embodiment 6. As shown in Fig. 14, the larger the pressure difference between the pressure of the heat medium on the upstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the pressure of the heat medium on the downstream side, the larger the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 can acquire the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 based on the value of the differential pressure acquired from the differential pressure gauge 20 using the differential pressure flow rate information.

[0114] The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 acquires a fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 based on the value of the differential pressure periodically obtained from the differential pressure gauge 20 .

[0115] The configurations and functions of the instruction unit 32 to the number determination unit 35 in the sixth embodiment are similar to those of the above-mentioned first to fifth embodiments. The storage unit 33 in the sixth embodiment further stores differential pressure flow rate information in addition to the first correspondence information and the like stored in the storage unit 33 in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0116] The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 may acquire a fluctuation value of the flow rate from the change in the differential pressure in the first hour without converting the differential pressure to a flow rate. In addition, the instruction unit 32 may change the total compressor frequency based on the value of the differential pressure changed in the first hour. In this case, the first correspondence information may associate the change in the differential pressure in the first hour with the compressor control value. In this case, the change in the differential pressure in the first hour indicated by the first correspondence information may be the difference between the differential pressures before and after the first hour, or may be the ratio of the difference to the differential pressure at the start of the first hour. When the first correspondence information is information that associates the change in the differential pressure in the first hour with the compressor control value, the storage unit 33 may not store the differential pressure flow rate information.

[0117] Hereinafter, a stabilization process of the temperature of the heat medium by the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the sixth embodiment will be described. The stabilization process of the sixth embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 7. In the stabilization process of the sixth embodiment, the flow meter 17 in the above description of Fig. 7 is replaced with a differential pressure gauge 20, and the flow information is the pressure difference between the pressure of the heat medium on the upstream side and the pressure of the heat medium on the downstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14.

[0118] In the sixth embodiment, the processes shown in Figures 8 to 10 and 12 may be executed. Note that the process of the sixth embodiment exemplified by Figure 9 is the same as that in the above description of Figure 9, except that the flow meter 17 is replaced with the differential pressure gauge 20.

[0119] The effects of the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the sixth embodiment will be described below. The flow rate acquiring device in the sixth embodiment is a differential pressure gauge 20 that measures a differential pressure, which is the difference between the pressure of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the pressure of the heat medium flowing out of the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The control device changes the operating capacity of the compressor 10 based on the differential pressure measured by the flow rate acquiring device at the first time. Then, the control device operates the compressor 10 at the changed operating capacity. The flow rate meter 17 is often large and expensive, but the refrigeration cycle system 100 including the differential pressure gauge 20 instead of the flow rate meter 17 can be made smaller and less expensive.

[0120] Embodiment 7 In the first to fifth embodiments, the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is obtained by the flowmeter 17. In the sixth embodiment, the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is obtained from the detection result by the differential pressure gauge 20. In the seventh embodiment, the components that obtain information about the flow rate of the heat medium are the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22 described later. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the seventh embodiment will be described in detail below. In the seventh embodiment, the same components as those in the first to sixth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the seventh embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first to sixth embodiments and the same functions as those in the first to sixth embodiments will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0121] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system in the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 15, the load system 4 or the combination of the load system 4, the bypass pipe 52, and the bypass valve 8 is omitted. The heat source device 1 in the seventh embodiment includes a first pressure gauge 21 and a second pressure gauge 22 instead of the above-mentioned flow meter 17 and the like. In FIG. 15, an example is shown in which the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22 are installed inside a housing that constitutes the outer shell of the heat source device 1, but both or one of the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22 may be provided outside the heat source device 1. The heat source device 1 in the seventh embodiment may be the heat source device 1 shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 instead of the heat source device 1 shown in FIG. 15, in which the flow meter 17 is replaced with the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22. Alternatively, the heat source device 1 in embodiment 7 may be a heat source device 1 including a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 arranged in series with respect to the heat medium piping 5 as shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 arranged in parallel with the heat medium piping 5 as shown in FIG. 3, in which the flow meter 17 is replaced with a first pressure gauge 21 and a second pressure gauge 22.

[0122] The first pressure gauge 21 is provided in the heat medium piping 5 upstream of the heat medium heat exchanger 14, and measures the pressure of the heat medium upstream of the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The second pressure gauge 22 is provided in the heat medium piping 5 downstream of the heat medium heat exchanger 14, and measures the pressure of the heat medium downstream of the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The combination of the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22 is an example of the flow rate acquisition device described above. The pressure values ​​measured by each of the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22 are an example of flow rate information.

[0123] In addition, when the heat source device 1 in the seventh embodiment includes a plurality of heat medium heat exchangers 14 connected in series as shown in FIG. 2, the first pressure gauge 21 is provided in the heat medium pipe 5 upstream of any one of the heat medium heat exchangers 14 of the heat source device 1, and the second pressure gauge 22 is provided in the heat medium pipe 5 downstream of any one of the heat medium heat exchangers 14. Alternatively, the first pressure gauge 21 may be provided in the heat medium pipe 5 upstream of two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14, and the second pressure gauge 22 may be provided in the heat medium pipe 5 downstream of the two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14. When the first pressure gauge 21 is provided in the heat medium pipe 5 upstream of two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14, it measures the pressure of the heat medium in the heat medium pipe 5 upstream of the two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14. When the second pressure gauge 22 is provided in the heat medium piping 5 downstream of the two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14, it measures the pressure of the heat medium in the heat medium piping 5 downstream of the two or more heat medium heat exchangers 14.

[0124] The integrated control device 3 periodically acquires the pressure value, which is the measurement result, from the first pressure gauge 21 directly or via the heat source control device 16. In the seventh embodiment, the periodic time during which the integrated control device 3 acquires the pressure value from the first pressure gauge 21 is defined as a first time. The integrated control device 3 periodically acquires the pressure value, which is the measurement result, from the second pressure gauge 22 directly or via the heat source control device 16. In the seventh embodiment, the periodic time during which the integrated control device 3 acquires the pressure value from the second pressure gauge 22 is defined as a first time.

[0125] The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 of the integrated control device 3 acquires the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 by calculation or the like, based on the pressure values ​​acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22. The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 calculates the difference between the pressure value acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the pressure value acquired from the second pressure gauge 22, and acquires the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14, based on the calculated difference. This difference corresponds to the differential pressure in the sixth embodiment.

[0126] The fluctuation acquiring unit 31 acquires the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 based on the differential pressure flow rate information in the sixth embodiment using the differential pressure, which is the difference between the pressure value acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the pressure value acquired from the second pressure gauge 22. Then, the fluctuation acquiring unit 31 acquires a fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 based on the pressure values ​​periodically acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22.

[0127] The fluctuation acquiring unit 31 may acquire a fluctuation value of the flow rate from a change in the differential pressure during the first time, without acquiring the flow rate from the differential pressure between the pressure acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the pressure acquired from the second pressure gauge 22. Additionally, the instruction unit 32 may change the total compressor frequency based on the value of the differential pressure that has changed during the first time.

[0128] Hereinafter, a stabilization process of the temperature of the heat medium by the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the seventh embodiment will be described. The stabilization process of the seventh embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 7. Note that, in the above description of Fig. 7, the stabilization process of the seventh embodiment is obtained by replacing the flow meter 17 with a combination of the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22, and by setting the flow rate information to a combination of the pressure of the heat medium on the upstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the pressure of the heat medium on the downstream side of the heat medium heat exchanger 14.

[0129] In the seventh embodiment, the processes shown in Figures 8 to 10 and 12 may be executed. Note that the process of the seventh embodiment exemplified by Figure 9 is obtained by replacing the flow meter 17 in the above description of Figure 9 with a combination of the first pressure gauge 21 and the second pressure gauge 22.

[0130] The effect of the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the seventh embodiment will be described below. The flow rate acquiring device in the seventh embodiment measures the pressure of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the pressure of the heat medium flowing out from the heat medium heat exchanger 14. Specifically, the flow rate acquiring device is a combination of a first pressure gauge 21 that measures the pressure of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and a second pressure gauge 22 that measures the pressure of the heat medium flowing out from the heat medium heat exchanger 14. The control device changes the operating capacity of the compressor 10 based on the pressure of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14 and the pressure of the heat medium flowing out from the heat medium heat exchanger 14 measured by the flow rate acquiring device at the first time. Then, the control device operates the compressor 10 at the changed operating capacity. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the refrigeration cycle system 100 and the cost.

[0131] Embodiment 8 In the eighth embodiment, flow rate information is acquired by the first pressure gauge 21 of the seventh embodiment and a third pressure gauge 23 described later. The refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the eighth embodiment will be described in detail below. In the eighth embodiment, the same components as those in the first to seventh embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the eighth embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first to seventh embodiments and the same functions as those in the first to seventh embodiments will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0132] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system according to an eighth embodiment. In FIG. 16, the load system 4 or the combination of the load system 4, the bypass pipe 52, and the bypass valve 8 is omitted. The heat source device 1 in the eighth embodiment includes a third pressure gauge 23 instead of the second pressure gauge 22 in the heat source device 1 in the seventh embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, the circulating device 15 is described as being provided upstream of the heat medium heat exchanger 14. In FIG. 16, an example is shown in which the third pressure gauge 23 is provided inside a housing that forms the outer shell of the heat source device 1, but the third pressure gauge 23 may be provided outside the heat source device 1.

[0133] The heat source device 1 in the eighth embodiment may be the heat source device 1 shown in Fig. 2 or 3 instead of the heat source device 1 shown in Fig. 16, in which the flowmeter 17 is replaced with a first pressure gauge 21 and a third pressure gauge 23. Alternatively, the heat source device 1 in the eighth embodiment may be the heat source device 1 including a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 provided in series with respect to the heat medium pipe 5 as shown in Fig. 2, and a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 provided in parallel with the heat medium pipe 5 as shown in Fig. 3, in which the flowmeter 17 is replaced with the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23.

[0134] The third pressure gauge 23 is provided in the heat medium pipe 5 upstream of the circulation device 15 and measures the pressure of the heat medium upstream of the circulation device 15. The combination of the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23 is an example of the flow rate acquisition device described above. The pressure values ​​measured by each of the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23 are examples of flow rate information. In addition, when the heat source device 1 in the eighth embodiment includes a plurality of heat medium heat exchangers 14 connected in series as shown in FIG. 2, the first pressure gauge 21 is connected to the heat medium pipe 5 upstream of any one of the plurality of heat medium heat exchangers 14 of the heat source device 1 and downstream of the circulation device 15, and the third pressure gauge 23 is connected to the heat medium pipe 5 upstream of the circulation device 15.

[0135] In the eighth embodiment, the circulation device 15 is described as having a pump and a drive device for the pump. Here, the pump has a characteristic that specifies the relationship between the total head and the discharge amount. Hereinafter, the characteristic may be referred to as the pump characteristic. The flow rate of the heat medium discharged from the circulation device 15 is obtained based on the total head by the pump characteristic. Here, the differential pressure between the pressure measured by the first pressure gauge 21 and the pressure measured by the third pressure gauge 23 corresponds to the total head of the circulation device 15. Therefore, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 14 is obtained based on the measurement results by the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23 and the pump characteristic.

[0136] The integrated control device 3 periodically acquires the measurement results from the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23. Note that the period during which the integrated control device 3 acquires the measurement results from the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23 will be described below as a first time.

[0137] The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 of the integrated control device 3 acquires the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 by calculation or the like, based on the pressure values ​​acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23. The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 calculates the difference between the pressure value acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the pressure value acquired from the third pressure gauge 23, and acquires the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14, based on the calculated difference and the pump characteristics.

[0138] The fluctuation acquisition unit 31 acquires a fluctuation value of the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 14 based on pressure values ​​periodically acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23.

[0139] The fluctuation acquiring unit 31 may acquire a fluctuation value of the flow rate from a change in the differential pressure during the first time, without acquiring the flow rate from the differential pressure between the pressure acquired from the first pressure gauge 21 and the pressure acquired from the third pressure gauge 23. Additionally, the instruction unit 32 may change the total compressor frequency based on the value of the differential pressure that has changed during the first time.

[0140] Hereinafter, a stabilization process of the temperature of the heat medium by the refrigeration cycle system 100 according to the eighth embodiment will be described. The stabilization process of the eighth embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 7. Note that, in the stabilization process of the eighth embodiment, the flow meter 17 in the above description of Fig. 7 is replaced with a combination of the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23, and the flow information is a combination of the pressure of the heat medium on the upstream side of the circulation device 15 and the pressure of the heat medium on the downstream side of the circulation device 15.

[0141] In the eighth embodiment, the processes shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 10 and Fig. 12 may be executed. Note that the process of the eighth embodiment exemplified by Fig. 9 is obtained by replacing the flow meter 17 in the above description of Fig. 9 with a combination of the first pressure gauge 21 and the third pressure gauge 23.

[0142] In the eighth embodiment, flow rate information is obtained by a first pressure gauge 21 and a third pressure gauge 23, instead of the flow meter 17. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the refrigeration cycle system 100 and the cost.

[0143] Embodiment 9 The refrigeration cycle system 100 in the first to eighth embodiments cools a heat medium. The refrigeration cycle system 100 in the ninth embodiment is also capable of heating a heat medium. Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a refrigeration cycle system according to the ninth embodiment. Note that a flow rate acquisition device is not shown in Fig. 17. Also, the load system 4 or the combination of the load system 4, the bypass pipe 52, and the bypass valve 8 is not shown in Fig. 17.

[0144] In the ninth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the first to eighth embodiments. In the ninth embodiment, the same configuration contents as those in the first to eighth embodiments and the same functions as those in the first to eighth embodiments will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0145] 17, the heat source device 1 in the ninth embodiment further includes a flow path switching device 24. The flow path switching device 24 includes, for example, a four-way valve, and switches the direction of the flow path of the refrigerant.

[0146] The heat source device 1 in the ninth embodiment may be a heat source device 1 including a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19, instead of the heat source device 1 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a heat source device including a plurality of refrigerant circuits in the ninth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of a heat source device including a plurality of refrigerant circuits in the ninth embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a heat source device 1 in which a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 are provided in series with respect to the heat medium pipe 5, and FIG. 19 shows a heat source device 1 in which a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 are provided in parallel with respect to the heat medium pipe 5. Note that a flow rate acquisition device is omitted in FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 19 shows a heat source device 1 including two refrigerant circuits 19 provided in parallel with respect to the heat medium pipe 5, but the heat source device 1 may include three or more refrigerant circuits 19 provided in parallel with respect to the heat medium pipe 5.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, each of the plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 is provided with a compressor 10, a flow path switching device 24, a heat exchanger 12, an expansion valve 13, and a heat medium heat exchanger 14, as in FIG. 1. In addition, a blower 11 is provided in the heat exchanger 12 in each of the plurality of refrigerant circuits 19. The plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 are housed in a housing forming the outer periphery of the heat source device 1 shown by a broken line. In addition, the heat source control device 16 is also housed in the housing. The temperature sensor 7 is provided in the heat medium pipe 5 on the side where the heat medium flows out from the heat source device 1. Although an example in which the temperature sensor 7 is provided outside the housing is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the temperature sensor 7 may be provided inside the housing. Although an example in which the circulation device 15 is provided inside the housing is shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the circulation device 15 may be provided outside the housing. The heat source control device 16 is disposed in the housing.

[0148] The heat source device 1 may include a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 provided in series with respect to the heat medium piping 5 as shown in FIG. 18, and a plurality of refrigerant circuits 19 provided in parallel with the heat medium piping 5 as shown in FIG. 19.

[0149] 17 to 19 show the flow path of the refrigerant when the refrigeration cycle system 100 cools an object, i.e., when the heat source device 1 cools the heat medium. On the other hand, the dashed line portion of the flow path switching device 24 shows the flow path of the refrigerant when the refrigeration cycle system 100 heats an object, i.e., when the heat source device 1 heats the heat medium. The arrows shown by solid lines in Fig. 17 show the direction in which the refrigerant flows when cooling an object, and the arrows shown by dashed lines show the direction in which the refrigerant flows when heating an object.

[0150] When heating an object, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the heat medium heat exchanger 14. In the heat medium heat exchanger 14, the heat medium exchanges heat with the high-temperature refrigerant and is heated. The high-temperature heat medium flowing out of the heat medium heat exchanger 14 flows into the load system 4 and heats the object.

[0151] In addition to the above, the heat source device 1 may be configured to perform only a heating operation. In this case, the refrigerant circuit 19 in the heat source device 1 includes, instead of the flow path switching device 24, a refrigerant pipe 18 corresponding to the flow path indicated by the dashed line portion in the flow path switching device 24 in Figs. 17 to 19.

[0152] According to the refrigeration cycle system 100 of the ninth embodiment, it is possible to heat an object. Also, an excessive increase in the temperature of the heat medium in the heat medium heat exchanger 14 can be suppressed.

[0153] In the first to ninth embodiments, an air-cooled heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and air has been shown as heat exchanger 12, but heat exchanger 12 may also be a water-cooled heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and a liquid such as water.

[0154] In the above-mentioned first embodiment and sixth to ninth embodiments, the case has been described as an example in which the integrated control device 3 changes the total capacity of the compressor 10 of the heat source device 1 based on the flow rate information from the flow rate acquiring device. However, instead of the integrated control device 3, the heat source control device 16 may change the total capacity of the compressor 10 based on the flow rate information from the flow rate acquiring device. In this case, the heat source control device 16 stores both or one of the first correspondence information and the second correspondence information, and changes the total capacity based on both or one of the fluctuation value and the flow rate.

[0155] In the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, the case where the integrated control device 3 changes the circulation frequency of the circulation device 15 of the heat source device 1 based on the flow rate information from the flow rate acquiring device has been described as an example. However, instead of the integrated control device 3, the heat source control device 16 may change the circulation frequency based on the flow rate information from the flow rate acquiring device. In this case, the heat source control device 16 stores the sixth correspondence information and changes the circulation frequency based on the fluctuation value.

[0156] Although the embodiments have been described above, the contents of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments and include a range of conceivable equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1 heat source device, 3 integrated control device, 4 load system, 5 heat medium piping, 6 heat medium circuit, 7 temperature sensor, 8 bypass valve, 10 compressor, 11 blower, 12 heat exchanger, 13 expansion valve, 14 heat medium heat exchanger, 15 circulation device, 16 heat source control device, 17 flow meter, 18 refrigerant piping, 19 refrigerant circuit, 20 differential pressure gauge, 21 first pressure gauge, 22 second pressure gauge, 23 third pressure gauge, 24 flow path switching device, 30 communication unit, 31 fluctuation acquisition unit, 32 instruction unit, 33 memory unit, 34 compressor frequency acquisition unit, 35 number determination unit, 36 first bus, 37 first processor, 38 first memory, 39 first communication interface circuit, 40 load side detection device, 50 forward pipe, 51 return pipe, 52 bypass pipe, 100 refrigeration cycle system, 160 A second bus, 161 a second processor, 162 a second memory, 163 a second communication interface circuit, 164 an input interface circuit, and 165 an output interface circuit.

Claims

1. a heat source device having a refrigerant circuit and cooling or heating a heat medium by a refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit; A control device that controls the heat source device; having The heat source device is a heat medium heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat medium and the refrigerant; a flow rate acquiring device that acquires flow rate information that is information regarding a flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger; A compressor that compresses the refrigerant; Equipped with The control device includes: The compressor is operated by changing an operating capacity of the compressor based on a fluctuation value of a flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger during a predetermined first time period, storing first correspondence information that associates the fluctuation value with the change in the operating capacity; The refrigeration cycle system operates the compressor by changing the operating capacity by the change amount associated with the fluctuation value, based on the first correspondence information.

2. The control device includes: The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 1 , wherein, when the flow rate is reduced during the first period of time, the operating capacity is reduced to operate the compressor.

3. The control device includes:

3. The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 1, wherein when the magnitude of the fluctuation value when the flow rate decreases is equal to or greater than a predetermined limit value, the operating capacity is changed to a lower limit capacity to operate the compressor.

4. The control device includes:

3. The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 1, wherein when a flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger is equal to or lower than a predetermined first lower limit value, the operating capacity of the compressor is changed to a lower limit capacity to operate the compressor.

5. The flow rate acquisition device is measuring a differential pressure between a pressure of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger and a pressure of the heat medium flowing out of the heat medium heat exchanger; The control device includes: 3 . The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 1 , wherein the compressor is operated by changing the operating capacity of the compressor based on the differential pressure measured by the flow rate acquisition device during the first time period. 4 .

6. The flow rate acquisition device is Measuring a pressure of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger and a pressure of the heat medium flowing out of the heat medium heat exchanger; The control device includes:

3. The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 1, wherein the compressor is operated by changing the operating capacity of the compressor based on a pressure of the heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger and a pressure of the heat medium flowing out of the heat medium heat exchanger, both measured by the flow rate obtaining device during the first time period.

7. The heat transfer medium is circulated through the heat transfer medium heat exchanger. The control device includes: The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circulation device is operated by changing an operation frequency of the circulation device based on the flow rate information.

8. The heat source device is a load system that cools or heats an object using the heat medium is connected via a heat medium pipe that circulates the heat medium, and forms a heat medium circuit together with the load system and the heat medium pipe; The heat medium circuit includes: a bypass pipe is provided in parallel with the load system and connected to the heat medium pipe; The bypass piping is a bypass valve for adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into the load system; The control device includes:

3. The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 1, wherein an opening degree of the bypass valve is changed based on the flow rate information.

9. The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of the heat source devices.

10. The plurality of heat source devices are The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 9 , which is connected in parallel to a load system that cools or heats an object by the heat medium via a heat medium pipe through which the heat medium circulates.

11. The control device includes: increasing or decreasing the number of operating heat source devices based on an operating frequency of the compressor of the heat source device that is in operation among the plurality of heat source devices; The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 10, wherein when the number of operating units is increased, the operating capacity of the compressor of the heat source device being operated is reduced to operate the compressor.

12. The control device storing third correspondence information that associates an increased number of the heat source devices to be operated with a reduction in the operating capacity of the compressor of each of the plurality of heat source devices; The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 11, wherein when the number of operating units is increased, the operating capacity of the compressor of the heat source device that is operating is reduced based on the third correspondence information.

13. The control device includes:

10. The refrigeration cycle system according to claim 9, wherein, when the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger of each of the two or more heat source devices that are operating among the plurality of heat source devices decreases, the number of the two or more heat source devices that are operating is reduced based on the flow rate information acquired from the flow rate acquisition device of each of the two or more heat source devices that are operating.

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