Refrigerant circuit and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerant circuit (100) comprising: a compressor (150) for compressing a refrigerant, in particular a gaseous refrigerant, which in particular contains propane, from a suction-side low-pressure level to a discharge-side high-pressure level; and at least one further refrigerant-carrying component, wherein the compressor (150) and the at least one further refrigerant-carrying component are connected by means of two refrigerant-carrying refrigerant channels (210, 310), wherein a first (310) of the two refrigerant channels has a first sealing location (311) at which a sealing element (312), with respect to the flow direction of the refrigerant, is arranged axially between two sealing surfaces (313, 314), wherein a second (210) of the two refrigerant channels has a second sealing location (211) at which a sealing element (212), with respect to the flow direction of the refrigerant, is arranged radially between two sealing surfaces (213, 214).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Refrigerant circuit and vehicle

[0004] The present invention relates to a refrigerant circuit and a vehicle with such a refrigerant circuit.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Typical refrigerant circuits comprise, in addition to a compressor for compressing a suitable refrigerant, a first heat exchanger (e.g., air-cooled and / or liquid-cooled) for dissipating the heat of compression and for at least partially condensing the compressed refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for heating and re-evaporating the refrigerant before it is returned to the compressor. An expansion valve is typically located between the first and second heat exchangers to expand the compressed (and possibly partially condensed) refrigerant. Depending on the specific application, such a refrigerant circuit can be used as a heat source and / or a heat sink. Useful heat can be extracted from the first heat exchanger and / or waste heat can be supplied to the second heat exchanger (or "useful cooling" can be extracted).The various components (first heat exchanger, expansion valve, second heat exchanger, compressor) can be fluidically connected to each other via pipes.

[0007] The first and / or second heat exchanger can be mounted separately from the compressor and connected to it via pipes or hoses. Alternatively, connection interfaces for the first and / or second heat exchanger can also be integrated into a compressor housing, as described, for example, in DE 10 2024 200 769.2.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] According to the invention, a refrigerant circuit and a vehicle with the features of the independent claims are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0010] The refrigerant circuit according to the invention comprises a first refrigerant-carrying unit having two first refrigerant interfaces configured to direct refrigerant into or out of the first unit. In particular, the two first refrigerant interfaces are arranged in a fixed geometric relationship to one another, i.e., they have a structurally predetermined first distance from each other.

[0011] The refrigerant circuit further comprises at least one second refrigerant-carrying unit, which has two secondary refrigerant interfaces configured to introduce refrigerant into or discharge it. In particular, the two secondary refrigerant interfaces are also arranged in a fixed geometric relationship to one another, i.e., they have a design-defined second distance from each other. The first and second distances are expediently equal within permissible manufacturing tolerances.

[0012] A first and a second refrigerant interface are connected, forming a refrigerant channel and a sealing point for sealing the refrigerant channel. In the first sealing point, a sealing element is arranged axially between two sealing surfaces relative to one refrigerant flow direction, and in the second sealing point, a sealing element is arranged radially between two sealing surfaces relative to one refrigerant flow direction. The invention provides a tolerance-insensitive fluid circuit connection between two refrigerant-carrying units, e.g., a compressor, heat exchanger, etc. Unlike conventional connections with two connection ports and radial sealing elements, especially O-rings, the proposed solution eliminates over-constraints in this connection. This prevents damage to the sealing elements due to differing tolerances of the individual dimensions.Especially in refrigerant circuits that use propane (R290) gas as a refrigerant, it is important to avoid leaks due to the flammability of this gas.

[0013] The sealing elements can be designed, in particular, as O-rings or flat gaskets. They preferably have a ring-shaped or other enclosing form with which they grip or surround the refrigerant channel in order to seal it against the environment.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the first sealing point is arranged in a flange connection, in which a (first) flange, forming one of the two sealing surfaces, is connected, in particular bolted, to a (second) flange, forming a second of the two sealing surfaces. Such a flange connection is a proven and reliably sealable sealing point for axial sealing elements, such as O-rings or flat gaskets.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the second sealing point is arranged in a push-fit connection, in which a cylindrical pipe stub, forming one of the two sealing surfaces, is inserted into a cylindrical pipe socket, forming the second of the two sealing surfaces. Such a push-fit connection is a proven and reliably sealable sealing point for radial sealing elements, such as O-rings.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the first and / or second refrigerant-carrying unit is selected from the group comprising components including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, in particular gaseous, which in particular contains propane (R290), from a suction-side low-pressure level to a discharge-side high-pressure level, a first refrigerant distributor configured to receive and convey refrigerant compressed by the compressor, a first heat exchanger for transferring heat between the refrigerant and a temperature control medium, in particular liquid, a second heat exchanger for transferring heat between a temperature control medium, in particular liquid, and the refrigerant, and a first expansion valve for expanding refrigerant compressed by the compressor and conveyed through the first refrigerant distributor.The system includes a third heat exchanger for transferring heat between the expanded and compressed refrigerant, a second refrigerant distributor designed to receive and transfer condensed refrigerant, a second expansion valve for expanding condensed refrigerant transferred through the second refrigerant distributor, and a physical arrangement of several of these components. This allows a refrigerant circuit to be provided in a desired configuration.

[0017] For example, one or more heat exchangers and refrigerant distributors can be structurally combined in one arrangement, which is particularly advantageous for components that must be fluidically connected anyway.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, at least one second heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the first expansion valve. The third heat exchanger is arranged on the cold side downstream of the second expansion valve and on the hot side upstream of the first expansion valve, and the third heat exchanger is arranged on the cold side upstream of the compressor. This allows the refrigerant circuit to use a portion of the condensed refrigerant to subcool another portion of the refrigerant and return it to the compressor. This process, also known as vapor injection, can increase the efficiency of the compressor and extend its thermal operating range, typically enabling the compressor to operate continuously for longer periods.This has a positive effect on the compressor's service life and the controllability of the refrigerant circuit. Within the scope of this invention, the term "cold-side" refers to a subsystem of a heat exchanger within which a medium is guided that absorbs heat in the heat exchanger. Conversely, a medium that releases heat in the heat exchanger is guided on the "hot-side" with respect to the heat exchanger.

[0019] The first refrigerant distributor can be integrated into the compressor housing. This reduces the number of components required, which has an overall positive effect on the tightness of the refrigerant circuit, as fewer components mean fewer sealing points and thus a lower leakage rate. Furthermore, integration results in a particularly short connection, reducing the internal volume of the refrigerant circuit compared to conventional solutions, which offers a safety advantage, especially with flammable refrigerants.

[0020] The second refrigerant distributor can be designed as a separate component from the compressor housing (especially one that can be detached without damage). This allows for the easy implementation of different configurations of the second refrigerant distributor, particularly with and without vapor injection.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the second refrigerant distributor is configured to route refrigerant exiting the third heat exchanger (on the cold side) to the compressor. Thus, both the cold-side supply and return lines of the third heat exchanger are integrated into the second refrigerant distributor, which reduces the workload during the assembly of the refrigerant circuit. Furthermore, the reduced number of components also results in fewer sealing points, thereby improving the tightness of the refrigerant circuit and reducing the leakage rate.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the first and / or second refrigerant interface is selected from the group comprising a supply line to the compressor, a return line from the compressor, a hot-side supply line to the first heat exchanger, a hot-side return line from the first heat exchanger, a cold-side supply line to the second heat exchanger, a cold-side return line from the second heat exchanger, a hot-side supply line to the third heat exchanger, a hot-side return line from the third heat exchanger, a cold-side supply line to the third heat exchanger, and a cold-side return line from the third heat exchanger. These are relevant refrigerant sealing points that can be protected from damage in this way.

[0023] In particular, it can be provided that the supply line to and / or the return line from the compressor each form a first or second refrigerant interface. This allows the connection of the compressor to the refrigerant circuit, which is always necessary in principle, to be made without damaging the associated sealing elements.

[0024] In particular, it can be provided that the cold-side supply line to and / or the cold-side discharge from the third heat exchanger each form a first or second refrigerant interface. This allows the third heat exchanger to be connected as needed (i.e., when vapor injection is desired) without damaging the associated sealing elements.

[0025] In particular, it can be provided that the warm-side supply line of the refrigerant to a structural arrangement of several components and / or the cold-side discharge of the refrigerant from the structural arrangement of several components each form a first or second refrigerant interface. This is particularly advantageous when components other than the compressor, which are fluidically connected, are combined in a structural arrangement, since then only two sealing points between the compressor and the arrangement are sufficient.

[0026] According to at least one embodiment, the compressor has a first inlet connection on the suction side for expanded refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchanger on the cold side, and a second inlet connection, separate from the first, for expanded refrigerant leaving the third heat exchanger on the cold side. This allows the vapor injection to be controlled essentially independently of the rest of the refrigerant circuit operation.

[0027] According to at least one embodiment, the second inlet port is arranged between the first inlet port and a pressure-side outlet port and is configured to feed the refrigerant leaving the third heat exchanger into the compressor at an intermediate pressure level between the low-pressure and high-pressure levels. In other words, in this embodiment, the refrigerant expanded via the second expansion valve is less expanded than the refrigerant expanded via the first expansion valve. This is advantageous with regard to the overall efficiency of the refrigerant circuit and offers additional degrees of freedom in the design.

[0028] The vehicle according to the invention comprises a refrigerant circuit according to the invention and at least one component to be temperature-controlled, such as a battery or cabin, which is thermally connected to the at least one first and / or second heat exchanger. The vehicle thus benefits from the advantages of the refrigerant circuit according to the invention in a corresponding manner.

[0029] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawing.

[0030] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment and is described below with reference to the drawing.

[0031] Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Figure 1 schematically shows a refrigerant circuit according to one embodiment of the invention using a block diagram. Figure 2 shows a compressor, as it can be used in embodiments of the invention, in a perspective view.

[0033] Figure 3 shows the refrigerant cycle from Figure 1 in a perspective view from an oblique top view.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the refrigerant cycle from Figure 1 in a perspective view from a low angle.

[0035] Figure 5 shows a section of the refrigerant circuit from Figure 1 in a sectional drawing.

[0036] Figure 6 shows an enlarged section of the refrigerant circuit from Figure 5.

[0037] Figure 7 schematically shows an exploded view of a heat exchanger unit that can be used in a refrigerant circuit.

[0038] embodiment(s) of the invention

[0039] Figure 1 schematically shows a refrigerant circuit according to an embodiment of the invention in the form of a block diagram, designated as 100. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a compressor usable for the refrigerant circuit 100 shown in Figure 1, designated as 150. Figures 3 and 4 each show perspective views of the refrigerant circuit 100 shown in Figure 1 from a top oblique angle (Figure 3) and a bottom oblique angle (Figure 4), respectively. Figures 5 and 6 show a section of the refrigerant circuit shown in Figure 1 in a sectional drawing. The figures are described together below.

[0040] The refrigerant circuit 100 includes a compressor 150, which is configured to compress a refrigerant, in particular one containing or consisting of propane (R290), from a suction-side low-pressure level, which may be selected, for example, from a range between 120 kPa and 1,000 kPa, to a discharge-side high-pressure level, which may be selected, for example, from a range between 1,400 and 3,600 kPa. In the example shown, the compressed refrigerant leaves the compressor 150 via an outlet port 156.

[0041] The refrigerant circuit 100 has a first heat exchanger 110 downstream of the compressor 150, in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 150 is cooled against a temperature control medium, in particular a liquid, e.g., water and / or a thermal oil, and thereby at least partially condenses. For example, the first heat exchanger 110 can be an air-cooled heat exchanger (directly or indirectly via a temperature control medium circuit), by means of which heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the surrounding atmosphere. If the refrigerant circuit 100 is used in a vehicle, the first heat exchanger 110 can, for example, transfer heat to a temperature control medium circuit, which in turn dissipates this heat to the atmosphere surrounding the vehicle by means of an air cooler installed in the front of the vehicle.Alternatively or additionally, the heat emitted by the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 110 can also be transferred as usable heat to one or more other components (e.g., the traction battery and / or the cabin of a vehicle) to heat them.

[0042] Downstream of the first heat exchanger 110, the refrigerant is received and routed through a first refrigerant distributor 124. In this example, the first refrigerant distributor 124 is integrated into a housing 151 of the compressor 150. For example, the housing 151 can essentially consist of a casting, such as an aluminum or cast iron element, into which the first refrigerant distributor 124 is formed in the form of bores and / or other cavities. In the example shown, a valve seat for a first expansion valve 122 is provided in the first refrigerant distributor 124.

[0043] An optional second refrigerant distributor 134 is configured to receive condensed refrigerant from the first refrigerant distributor 124 and transfer it to a refrigerant storage tank 300. The second refrigerant distributor 134 is further configured to draw refrigerant from the storage tank 300 and transfer it via a second expansion valve 132, the valve seat of which is integrated into the second refrigerant distributor 134 in the example shown here, to a third heat exchanger 130. In this process, the refrigerant is expanded by the second expansion valve 132 from the high-pressure level to an intermediate pressure level, which lies between the low-pressure and high-pressure levels. In the third heat exchanger 130, the refrigerant, expanded by the second expansion valve 132, is heated against compressed refrigerant upstream of the first expansion valve 122 and is at least partially evaporated in the process.Simultaneously, the compressed refrigerant upstream of the first expansion valve 122 is supercooled (i.e., cooled further below its condensation temperature or liquidus line). The compressed refrigerant upstream of the first expansion valve 122 is also routed through the second refrigerant distributor 134 from the refrigerant storage tank 300 to the third heat exchanger 130 and from the third heat exchanger 130 to the first refrigerant distributor 124.

[0044] Instead of the second refrigerant distributor 134, only the refrigerant storage tank 300 can be present between the first heat exchanger 110 and the first expansion valve 122 if no vapor injection method is provided (see also Figure 7).

[0045] As can be seen in Figure 5, in this embodiment the third heat exchanger 130 as the first refrigerant-carrying unit is sealed with the second refrigerant distributor 134 as the second refrigerant-carrying unit by means of a first seal (sealing element) 312 and a second seal 212 against the environment of the refrigerant circuit 100.

[0046] The third heat exchanger 130 has two first refrigerant interfaces 217, 317, which are configured to direct refrigerant into or out of the third heat exchanger 130 (in particular, one directs refrigerant in and the other out). The second refrigerant distributor 134 has two second refrigerant interfaces 218, 318, which are configured to direct refrigerant into or out of the second refrigerant distributor 134 (in particular, one directs refrigerant in and the other out).

[0047] Each of the following is connected: a first refrigerant interface 217, 317 and a second refrigerant interface 218, 318, forming a refrigerant channel 210, 310 and a sealing point 211, 311 for sealing the refrigerant channel. In a first sealing point 311, the sealing element 312 is arranged axially between two sealing surfaces 313, 314 with respect to one direction of refrigerant flow, and in a second sealing point 211, the sealing element 212 is arranged radially between two sealing surfaces 213, 214 with respect to one direction of refrigerant flow. This arrangement results in more favorable component fits and / or more generous acceptable tolerances for the geometrically fixed distances of the refrigerant interfaces.

[0048] Preferably, the first refrigerant interface 217, 317 and a second refrigerant interface 218, 318 are spaced apart from each other. Preferably, the refrigerant channels 210, 310 are spaced apart from each other. Preferably, the refrigerant channels 210, 310 are separated from each other. The resulting refrigerant channels 210, 310 are two separate channels, in particular spaced apart from each other.

[0049] The sealing surfaces 313, 314 of the second refrigerant distributor 134 and the third heat exchanger 130 are thus axially in contact with the first seal 312 from above and below, relative to the refrigerant flow direction. The first seal 312 is annular, specifically an O-ring. The second seal 212, on the other hand, is radially positioned between the sealing surfaces 213, 214, relative to the refrigerant flow direction. The sealing surfaces 213, 214 of the second refrigerant distributor 134 and the third heat exchanger 130 are thus radially in contact with the second seal 212 from the inside and outside. The second seal 212 is also annular, specifically an O-ring.

[0050] In the example shown, the first sealing point 311 is formed in a flanged connection, where a flange 315 is connected to a flange 316, and the sealing element 312 is arranged between them. The flange 315 forms a first sealing surface 313 of the two sealing surfaces, and the flange 316 forms a second sealing surface 314 of the two sealing surfaces. The second sealing point 211 is formed in a push-fit connection, where a cylindrical pipe stub 215, forming a first sealing surface 213 of the two sealing surfaces, is inserted into a cylindrical pipe socket 216, which forms a second sealing surface 214 of the two sealing surfaces.

[0051] The first expansion valve 122 expands the condensed (and possibly supercooled) refrigerant into a second heat exchanger 120. In the second heat exchanger 120, the expanded refrigerant is heated against another, preferably liquid, temperature control medium, such as water or thermal oil, and is at least partially evaporated in the process.

[0052] In particular, the second heat exchanger 120 can (directly or indirectly) transfer heat from a functional vehicle component, e.g. a high-voltage battery (in the case of an electric vehicle) and / or a drive unit, and / or from an interior of the vehicle (e.g. driver's cabin) to the refrigerant circuit 100.

[0053] Downstream of the second heat exchanger 120, the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 150 on the suction side, in particular by means of the first refrigerant distributor 124 (e.g. to a first inlet connection 152).

[0054] The operation of the third heat exchanger 130 and / or the second expansion valve 132 can be monitored by means of a sensor 170, for example a temperature and / or pressure sensor (here on the cold side downstream of the third heat exchanger 130). A further sensor 180, which can also be configured as a temperature and / or pressure sensor, is provided for monitoring the operation of the compressor 150 or the entire refrigerant circuit 100.

[0055] Refrigerant flowing out of the third heat exchanger 130 on the cold side is received by the second refrigerant distributor 134 and forwarded to the compressor 150. In the example shown here, the connection of the second refrigerant distributor 134 to the compressor 150 is realized by means of a pipe and / or hose 138, which leads into a second inlet port 154 (in the example shown, near the pressure-side outlet port 156) in the housing 151 of the compressor 150.

[0056] Figure 7 schematically shows an exploded view of a heat exchanger unit 10 that can be used in a refrigerant circuit. Such a heat exchanger unit 10 is a structural arrangement of several components that can be connected to two corresponding second refrigerant interfaces of the compressor 150 via two first refrigerant interfaces 101 and 102 to form sealing points, as described above. Here again, one sealing point is located in a flanged connection and the other in a push-fit connection, with refrigerant interface 101 belonging to the flanged connection and refrigerant interface 102 to the push-fit connection. The above description therefore applies accordingly and will not be repeated.

[0057] The first two refrigerant interfaces 101 and 102 are configured to direct refrigerant into or out of the heat exchanger unit 10 (in particular, one directs refrigerant in and the other out). In the illustrated example, the heat exchanger unit 10 has an inlet connection as the first refrigerant interface 101, a first heat exchanger 110, a second heat exchanger 120, and a first refrigerant distributor 124. An outlet connection as the first refrigerant interface 102 is monolithically integrated into the first refrigerant distributor 124. An inlet 112 of the first heat exchanger 110 is located downstream of the inlet connection 101.

[0058] An outlet 114 of the first heat exchanger 110 is connected to the refrigerant distributor 124, which in the example shown here includes a refrigerant storage tank 300 for at least partially condensed refrigerant. A filter and / or dryer 140 is installed in the refrigerant storage tank, which is designed to remove impurities, especially water, from the refrigerant.

[0059] In the example shown here, the refrigerant distributor 124 is designed as a monolithic component, for example, as a metal block with functional bores. In this example, the refrigerant storage unit is inserted into the material block from below as a (in the installed state) vertical bore, into which an inlet bore opens laterally for connecting the outlet 114 of the first heat exchanger 110 to the refrigerant storage unit. After the filter / dryer 140 is installed, the lower end of the bore is sealed during the assembly of the refrigerant distributor 124, for example, by welding in a plug. The upper end of the bore forming the refrigerant storage unit can be closed, for example, by means of a service port 160, which can be used to fill the refrigerant circuit 100 with refrigerant and / or to replace the refrigerant or to adjust the appropriate refrigerant quantity. At the lower end of the refrigerant storage unit 300 (i.e.,In the example shown here, below the filter / dryer 140) an outlet bore branches off laterally, which also serves as a valve seat for a first expansion valve 122.

[0060] The compressed and partially condensed refrigerant is fed from the refrigerant distributor 124 via the expansion valve 122, which can be, for example, an electrically or electronically controlled expansion valve, to an inlet 123 of the second heat exchanger 120. In the example shown here, a further bore is provided in the refrigerant distributor 124 as the outlet of the valve seat. From an outlet 125 of the second heat exchanger 120, the heated refrigerant is returned to the refrigerant distributor 124 and to the outlet port 102. The connection between the outlet 125 of the second heat exchanger 120 and the outlet port 102 of the heat exchanger unit 10 is implemented in this example as a through-hole through the refrigerant distributor 124, which has no connection to the bores already described that form the refrigerant reservoir and the valve seat.In the example shown here, a sensor 180 for determining at least one physical state variable, in particular pressure and / or temperature, of the refrigerant is connected in the path between outlet 125 of the second heat exchanger 120 and outlet port 102 (i.e., in the through-hole). For this purpose, a pilot hole is provided in the through-hole, which serves as a connection point for the sensor 180. In the example shown here, the inlet port 101, the first heat exchanger 110, the second heat exchanger 120, and the refrigerant distributor 124 are each metallurgically bonded to a support 165, for example, by a vacuum brazing connection. This results in a mechanically fixed geometric arrangement of inlet port 101 and outlet port 102 relative to each other. In particular, the first two refrigerant interfaces are thus arranged in a fixed geometric relationship to each other.They have a predefined initial distance from each other. Similarly, the two secondary refrigerant interfaces on compressor 150 are also arranged in a fixed geometric relationship to each other, i.e., they have a predefined secondary distance from each other. The first and second distances are equal within permissible manufacturing tolerances.

[0061] In the example shown here, the support consists of, or has such an element, an essentially plate-shaped element, for example a sheet of metal.

[0062] As already mentioned, the refrigerant circuit 100 can be used, for example, in a vehicle to heat and / or cool components requiring temperature control (e.g., a traction battery of an electric vehicle, a drive unit, the vehicle cabin, or the like). For this purpose, components requiring temperature control can be thermally connected to the first heat exchanger 110 and / or the second heat exchanger 120. This can be achieved, in particular, via secondary temperature control media circuits (e.g., with water and / or a thermal oil, i.e., the temperature control medium or heat transfer medium). In this process, useful heat can be extracted from the first heat exchanger (i.e., a component requiring temperature control can be heated), and / or useful heat can be supplied to the second heat exchanger (i.e., a component requiring temperature control can be cooled).

[0063] It is understood that the features described here need not necessarily be present in the specific combination described. Rather, other combinations of features, and possibly even individual features on their own, can also be advantageously used. The embodiment of the invention described here is therefore not to be understood as limiting the scope of protection defined in the claims.

[0064] The invention provides a tolerance-insensitive fluid circuit connection between two refrigerant-carrying units, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 between a refrigerant distributor and a heat exchanger, and as shown in Figure 7 between a compressor and a heat exchanger unit. Unlike conventional connections with two connection ports and radial sealing elements, particularly O-rings, the proposed solution eliminates over-constraints in this connection. This prevents damage to the sealing elements due to differing tolerances of the individual dimensions. Especially in refrigerant circuits using propane (R290) as the refrigerant, it is crucial to prevent leaks due to the flammability of this gas.

[0065] The refrigerant can be, in particular, propane (R290), CO2 (R744), R-1234yf, or a refrigerant blend, preferably comprising propane. Preferably, it is a propane-containing refrigerant consisting, for example, of at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% propane.

Claims

Claims 1. Refrigerant circuit (100) comprising a first refrigerant-carrying unit (134; 10) having two first refrigerant interfaces (217, 317; 101 , 102) configured to direct refrigerant into or out of the first unit, a second refrigerant-carrying unit (130;150), which has two second refrigerant interfaces (218, 318) configured to direct refrigerant into or out of the second unit, wherein a first (217, 317) and a second (218, 318) refrigerant interface are connected to form a refrigerant channel (210, 310) and a sealing point (211, 311) for sealing the refrigerant channel, wherein in a first sealing point (311) a sealing element (312) is arranged axially between two sealing surfaces (313, 314) with respect to a flow direction of the refrigerant, and wherein in a second sealing point (211) a sealing element (212) is arranged radially between two sealing surfaces (213, 214) with respect to a flow direction of the refrigerant.

2. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing point (311) is formed in a flange connection in which a flange (315) forming a first (313) of the two sealing surfaces is connected to a flange (316) forming a second (314) of the two sealing surfaces.

3. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sealing point (211) is formed in a plug connection, in which a cylindrical pipe stub (215) forming a first (213) of the two sealing surfaces is inserted into a second (214) of the two sealing surfaces. cylindrical pipe socket (216) is inserted.

4. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first refrigerant-carrying unit and / or the second refrigerant-carrying unit are selected from the group comprising the following components: - a compressor (150) for compressing a refrigerant, in particular gaseous, which in particular contains propane, from a suction-side low-pressure level to a discharge-side high-pressure level, - a first refrigerant distributor (124) designed to receive and convey refrigerant compressed by the compressor (150), - a first heat exchanger (110) for transferring heat between the refrigerant and a temperature control medium, in particular a liquid, - a second heat exchanger (120) for transferring heat between a temperature control medium, in particular a liquid, and the refrigerant, - a first expansion valve (122) for expanding refrigerant compressed by the compressor (150), - a third heat exchanger (130) for transferring heat between expanded and compressed refrigerant, - a second refrigerant distributor (134) designed to receive and transfer condensed refrigerant, - a second expansion valve (132) for the expansion of condensed refrigerant passed through the second refrigerant distributor (134), - a structural arrangement of several of the components.

5. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first (217, 317) and / or second (218, 318) refrigerant interface is selected from the group comprising: a supply line to the compressor (150), a discharge from the compressor (150), a hot-side supply line to the first heat exchanger (110), a hot-side discharge from the first heat exchanger (110), a cold-side supply line to the second heat exchanger (120), a cold-side discharge from the second heat exchanger (120), a hot-side inlet to the third heat exchanger (130), a hot-side outlet from the third heat exchanger (130), a cold-side inlet to the third heat exchanger (130), a cold-side outlet from the third heat exchanger (130).

6. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first refrigerant distributor (124) is integrated into the housing (151) of the compressor (150).

7. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second refrigerant distributor (134) is provided separately from the housing (151) of the compressor (150), wherein the at least one second heat exchanger (120) is arranged downstream of the first expansion valve (122), wherein the third heat exchanger (130) is arranged on the cold side downstream of the second expansion valve (132) and on the hot side upstream of the first expansion valve (122), and wherein the third heat exchanger (130) is arranged on the cold side upstream of the compressor (150).

8. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the second refrigerant distributor (134) is configured to transfer refrigerant leaving the cold side of the third heat exchanger (130) to the compressor (150).

9. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the compressor (150) has on the suction side a first inlet port (152) for expanded refrigerant flowing out on the cold side from at least one second heat exchanger (120), and a second inlet port (154) separate from the first inlet port (152) for expanded refrigerant leaving the third heat exchanger (130) on the cold side.

10. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the second inlet port (154) is arranged between the first inlet port (152) and a pressure-side outlet port (156) of the compressor (150) and is configured to feed the refrigerant leaving the third heat exchanger (130) into the compressor (150) at an intermediate pressure level which lies between the low-pressure level and the high-pressure level.

11. Vehicle with a refrigerant circuit (100) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one component to be tempered, which is thermally connected to the at least one first heat exchanger (110) and / or second heat exchanger (120).

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