Refrigeration cycle device

Abstract

This refrigeration cycle device circulates a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing, with a refrigerant, an adsorbent that adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant. This refrigeration cycle device comprises a low-pressure-side extraction unit (16), a compression unit (11), a discharge-side transport unit (12), a heat dissipation unit (13), a heat absorption unit (15), and an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit (20, 30, 40). The low-pressure-side extraction unit extracts the refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant. The heat dissipation unit dissipates adsorption heat generated when the refrigerant is adsorbed by the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant flowing out from the discharge-side transport unit. The heat absorption unit desorbs the refrigerant from the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant flowing out from the heat dissipation unit and causes the mixed refrigerant to absorb heat. The adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit accommodates, in a sealed space, the adsorbent circulating in a cycle as the mixed refrigerant, and controls displacement of the sealed space, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle.

Description

Refrigeration cycle device ,

[0008] , ,

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[0006] Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-189728 filed on October 29, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle device.

[0003] Conventionally, Patent Document 1 has disclosed a so-called hybrid refrigeration cycle device. A hybrid refrigeration cycle device is a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant in which a particulate adsorbent is mixed with a fluid refrigerant.

[0004] In this type of refrigeration cycle device, the heat of adsorption when the adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant can be dissipated to the heat dissipation object. Also, the heat of desorption when the refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent can be absorbed from the heat absorption object. Thereby, in a hybrid refrigeration cycle device, the pressure of the refrigerant on the high-pressure side can be reduced and the operating efficiency of the cycle can be improved compared to a normal vapor compression type refrigeration cycle device in which no adsorbent is mixed with the refrigerant.

[0005] International Publication No. 2024 / 004971

[0006] Here, in a hybrid refrigeration cycle device such as Patent Document 1, in order to control the capacity of the refrigeration cycle device, in addition to adjusting the flow rate of the fluid refrigerant, it is necessary to control the flow rate of the adsorbent composed of a large number of particles.

[0007] Regarding the flow rate control of the refrigerant as a fluid, as in the prior art, it can be controlled by the balance between the output of the compressor and the resistance in the expansion valve. On the other hand, regarding the flow rate control of the adsorbent composed of a large number of particles, it is necessary to consider the shape of each particle constituting the adsorbent and the forces acting on each particle, and it is difficult to apply the same theory as for fluids. For this reason, in a hybrid refrigeration cycle device, it is desired to realize the flow rate control of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant in order to appropriately control the capacity control of the refrigeration cycle device.

[0008] In view of the above, this disclosure aims to provide a refrigeration cycle device that can achieve stable flow rate control of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant, in a refrigeration cycle that circulates a mixed refrigerant in which an adsorbent is mixed with the refrigerant.

[0009] The refrigeration cycle device according to this disclosure is a refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant, which is a mixture of a refrigerant and an adsorbent that adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant. The refrigeration cycle device includes a low-pressure side extraction unit, a compression unit, a discharge side transport unit, a heat dissipation unit, a heat absorption unit, and an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit.

[0010] The low-pressure side extraction unit extracts refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant. The compression unit draws in the refrigerant extracted in the low-pressure side extraction unit, compresses it, and discharges it. The discharge side transport unit uses the pressure energy of the discharged refrigerant discharged from the compression unit to transport the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the low-pressure side extraction unit to the discharged refrigerant side. The heat dissipation unit dissipates the heat of adsorption generated when the refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the discharge side transport unit. The heat absorption unit desorbs the refrigerant from the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat dissipation unit, causing the mixed refrigerant to absorb the heat. The adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit houses the adsorbent, which circulates in the cycle as the mixed refrigerant, in a sealed space and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle by controlling the displacement of the sealed space.

[0011] Such a refrigeration cycle device has a low-pressure extraction section, a compression section, a discharge transport section, a heat dissipation section, and a heat absorption section, thus enabling the construction of a so-called hybrid refrigeration cycle device. Therefore, the adsorption and desorption reactions that occur during the adsorption and desorption of the refrigerant to the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant in the heat dissipation and heat absorption sections can be utilized to improve the operating efficiency of the cycle. The operating efficiency of a hybrid refrigeration cycle device can be defined as the value obtained by dividing the amount of heat absorbed in the heat absorption section by the power consumed to increase the pressure of both the refrigerant and the adsorbent from low to high.

[0012] Furthermore, since the refrigeration cycle device has an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit, the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle can be adjusted by housing the adsorbent, which circulates in the cycle as a mixed refrigerant, in a sealed space and controlling the displacement of the sealed space. The adsorbent that constitutes the mixed refrigerant behaves differently from the refrigerant, which is a fluid. For this reason, by arranging an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit, which is a flow rate adjustment mechanism different from that of the refrigerant, the circulating flow rate of the adsorbent in the cycle can be controlled, and the composition ratio of refrigerant and adsorbent that constitute the mixed refrigerant can be appropriately adjusted.

[0013] The above-mentioned objectives and other objectives, features and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings. This is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. This is an axial cross-sectional view of the ejector according to the first embodiment. This is a schematic configuration diagram of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit according to the first embodiment. This is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to the second embodiment. This is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to the third embodiment. This is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to the fourth embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram relating to the operation of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit in the fourth embodiment. This is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to the fifth embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram showing a first modified example of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit according to this disclosure. This is an explanatory diagram showing a second modified example of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit according to this disclosure. This is an explanatory diagram showing a third modified example of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit according to this disclosure.

[0014] Several embodiments for carrying out this disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to matters described in a prior embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. If only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, other parts of the configuration can be applied to other embodiments described in advance. Not only can parts that are explicitly shown to be combinable in each embodiment be combined, but embodiments can also be partially combined even if not explicitly shown, as long as there is no particular impediment to the combination.

[0015] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the first embodiment, the refrigeration cycle device 10 shown in the overall configuration diagram of Figure 1 is applied to the air conditioning system 1. The air conditioning system 1 includes a refrigeration cycle device 10, which is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device, and a control device 50, etc. The refrigeration cycle device 10 constitutes a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle in the air conditioning system 1 that adjusts the temperature of the air supplied to the room, which is the space to be air-conditioned.

[0016] In the refrigeration cycle device 10, carbon dioxide (i.e., R744) is used as the refrigerant. An adsorbent is mixed with the refrigerant. The adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant under high pressure and desorbs (in other words, removes) the refrigerant under low pressure. Furthermore, when the adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant, it releases the heat (i.e., internal energy) of the adsorbed refrigerant as heat of adsorption, and when it desorbs the refrigerant, it absorbs the surrounding heat as heat of desorption.

[0017] More specifically, in this embodiment, a metal-organic framework (MOF) is used as the adsorbent. MOF is a porous material obtained by reacting metal ions with organic ligands. MOF is a polymeric structure that has countless openings inside due to the linkage between metal ions and organic ligands.

[0018] MOFs allow for optimization of the aperture diameter through the combination of metal ions and organic ligands. By adjusting the aperture diameter, MOFs can selectively adsorb target substances. In this embodiment, an MOF suitable for adsorbing carbon dioxide, a refrigerant, is employed. Specifically, MOF-5 or MOF-200 can be used.

[0019] The adsorbent does not dissolve in the refrigerant, but is mixed with it in a powdery or particulate solid state. Furthermore, the amount of adsorbent mixed with the refrigerant in this embodiment is less than the amount that can adsorb all of the refrigerant under the normal operating conditions of the refrigeration cycle device 10. For this reason, in the refrigeration cycle device 10, only the adsorbent does not circulate within the cycle.

[0020] In the following explanation, for clarity, refrigerants mixed with adsorbents will be referred to as "mixed refrigerants," while refrigerants not mixed with adsorbents will be referred to as refrigerant, discharged refrigerant, discharge-side injected refrigerant, reduced-pressure injected refrigerant, etc., without using the term "mixed."

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a compressor 11, a discharge-side ejector 12, a heat exchanger for heat dissipation 13, an electric expansion valve 14, a heat exchanger for heat absorption 15, a low-pressure side extraction unit 16, and an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20.

[0022] The compressor 11 is a compression unit in the refrigeration cycle device 10 that draws in refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges it. The compressor 11 is an electric compressor that rotates a fixed-capacity compression mechanism with a fixed discharge capacity using an electric motor. As the compression mechanism, a rotary type compression mechanism, a scroll type compression mechanism, etc., can be used. The rotational speed (i.e., refrigerant discharge capacity) of the compressor 11 is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50. The inlet side of the discharge nozzle portion 12a of the discharge-side ejector 12 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 11.

[0023] The discharge-side ejector 12 draws in the mixed refrigerant flowing out from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 (described later) through the discharge-side suction port 12c formed in the discharge-side body unit 12b, due to the suction action of the discharge-side injected refrigerant sprayed from the discharge-side nozzle unit 12a. Furthermore, the discharge-side ejector 12 converts the kinetic energy (i.e., expansion energy) of the mixed refrigerant, which is formed by mixing the discharge-side injected refrigerant with an adsorbent, into pressure energy, thereby increasing the pressure of the mixed refrigerant.

[0024] Here, the detailed configuration of the discharge-side ejector 12 will be described with reference to Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the discharge-side ejector 12 has a discharge-side nozzle portion 12a and a discharge-side body portion 12b.

[0025] The discharge nozzle section 12a is a nozzle that converts the pressure energy of the discharged refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 into kinetic energy and injects the refrigerant. The discharge nozzle section 12a is formed of a substantially cylindrical member made of metal (in this embodiment, stainless steel) that gradually tapers in the direction of refrigerant flow.

[0026] The discharge nozzle section 12a reduces the discharge refrigerant pressure isentropically and accelerates it to supersonic speed, then injects the discharge-side injected refrigerant into the discharge-side mixing section 12e formed in the discharge-side body section 12b. A so-called Laval nozzle or a tapered nozzle can be used as the discharge-side nozzle section 12a.

[0027] The discharge-side body portion 12b supports and fixes the discharge-side nozzle portion 12a and forms the outer shell of the discharge-side ejector 12. The discharge-side body portion 12b is made of a substantially cylindrical member of metal (in this embodiment, made of aluminum alloy). The discharge-side nozzle portion 12a is fixed inside the discharge-side body portion 12b at one end in the longitudinal direction by means of press-fitting or other means. The discharge-side body portion 12b may be made of resin.

[0028] A discharge-side suction port 12c is formed in the cylindrical wall surface of the discharge-side body portion 12b, in the portion corresponding to the outer circumference of the discharge-side nozzle portion 12a. The discharge-side suction port 12c is provided to penetrate the inside and outside of the discharge-side body portion 12b and communicate with the refrigerant injection port of the discharge-side nozzle portion 12a. The discharge-side suction port 12c is a through-hole that draws the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out from the low-pressure side extraction portion 16 into the interior of the discharge-side body portion 12b due to the suction action of the discharge-side injected refrigerant injected from the discharge-side nozzle portion 12a.

[0029] Furthermore, a discharge-side suction passage 12d, a discharge-side mixing section 12e, and a discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f are formed inside the discharge-side body section 12b. The discharge-side suction passage 12d is a passage that guides the mixed refrigerant sucked in from the discharge-side suction port 12c to the discharge-side mixing section 12e. The discharge-side mixing section 12e is a space for mixing the mixed refrigerant sucked in from the discharge-side suction port 12c with the discharge-side injected refrigerant. The discharge-side mixing section 12e is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0030] The discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f is a space for increasing the pressure of the mixed refrigerant, which is drawn in from the discharge-side suction port 12c and the discharge-side injected refrigerant. The discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f is formed in a frustoconical shape, with its cross-sectional area expanding in the direction of the mixed refrigerant flow. In the discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f, the kinetic energy of the mixed refrigerant is converted into pressure energy by the action of the shock wave generated by the discharge-side injected refrigerant and the expansion of the passage cross-sectional area.

[0031] Therefore, the discharge-side ejector 12 is a discharge-side transport unit that uses the pressure energy of the discharged refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 to transport the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharged refrigerant side. In other words, the discharge-side ejector 12 uses the pressure energy of the discharged refrigerant to mix the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 with the discharge-side injected refrigerant, which is the discharged refrigerant that has consumed the pressure energy.

[0032] The outlet of the discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f of the discharge-side ejector 12 is connected to the mixed refrigerant inlet side of the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13. The heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 is a heat dissipation section that dissipates the heat contained in the mixed refrigerant to the outside air by exchanging heat between the mixed refrigerant flowing out from the discharge-side ejector 12 and outside air blown from an outside air fan (not shown).

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the inlet side of the electric expansion valve 14 is connected to the outlet of the mixed refrigerant of the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13. The electric expansion valve 14 is a mixed refrigerant pressure reduction unit that reduces the pressure of the mixed refrigerant flowing out of the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13. More specifically, the electric expansion valve 14 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant contained in the mixed refrigerant, thereby lowering the pressure of the atmospheric refrigerant of the adsorbent. Furthermore, the electric expansion valve 14 is a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts the flow rate of the mixed refrigerant flowing into the heat absorption heat exchanger 15.

[0034] Specifically, the electric expansion valve 14 has a valve body and a drive unit. The valve body changes the throttle opening. The drive unit displaces the valve body. An electric actuator such as a stepping motor or a brushless DC motor can be used as the drive unit. The operation of the electric expansion valve 14 is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0035] The outlet of the electric expansion valve 14 is connected to the inlet side of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. The heat absorption heat exchanger 15 exchanges heat between the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 and the air blown from a blower (not shown) into the room, which is the space to be air-conditioned. The heat absorption heat exchanger 15 is a heat absorption unit that cools the blown air by desorbing the refrigerant from the adsorbent contained in the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 and exerting a heat absorption effect.

[0036] The mixed refrigerant inlet 16c of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. The low-pressure side extraction unit 16 extracts a portion of the mixed refrigerant that does not contain adsorbents from the mixed refrigerant that flows out of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. In other words, the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 can be called a low-pressure side separation unit that separates the refrigerant without adsorbents from the mixed refrigerant.

[0037] The state of the remaining mixed refrigerant after it has been extracted in the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is affected by the pressure of the mixed refrigerant flowing out of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, the ambient temperature at the location where the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is located, the type of refrigerant, the amount of refrigerant charged, and so on.

[0038] In other words, the remaining mixed refrigerant after some of the refrigerant has been extracted in the low-pressure extraction unit 16 can become a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing the adsorbent with a gaseous refrigerant, a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing the adsorbent with a gaseous two-phase refrigerant, or a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing the adsorbent with a liquid refrigerant.

[0039] The low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is formed by a metal cylindrical container with a bottom that forms a space inside. The low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is positioned so that its axial direction is vertical. A flat plate-shaped adsorbent filter 16f is placed in the internal space of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16.

[0040] The adsorbent filter 16f divides the internal space of the low-pressure side extraction section 16 into an upper space 16b and a lower space 16a in the vertical direction. The adsorbent filter 16f is an adsorbent filtration section that has selective permeability, allowing the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant separated from the mixed refrigerant to pass through, while at least preventing the adsorbent from passing through.

[0041] In the lower space 16a, the mixed refrigerant inlet 16c and the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 communicate with each other. In the lower space 16a, a configuration is adopted in which the refrigerant is extracted from the mixed refrigerant by utilizing the specific gravity difference between the refrigerant and the adsorbent.

[0042] Further, when the remaining mixed refrigerant becomes a mixed refrigerant in which the adsorbent is mixed with the liquid-phase refrigerant, the volume of the lower space 16a is set so that the lower space 16a can be used as a liquid storage unit for storing the excess refrigerant of the cycle as a saturated liquid-phase refrigerant. As a result, in the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, the gas-phase refrigerant is extracted into the upper space 16b.

[0043] The mixed refrigerant outlet 16d is an outlet for discharging the mixed refrigerant stored in the lower space 16a (that is, the remaining mixed refrigerant from which the gas-phase refrigerant has been extracted). Therefore, the refrigerant flowing out from the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d may contain the remaining refrigerant in addition to the adsorbent. The mixed refrigerant outlet 16d is formed on the bottom surface of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16. The discharge side suction port 12c side of the discharge side ejector 12 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d via the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20.

[0044] In the upper space 16b, the gas-phase refrigerant outlet 16e of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 communicates with each other. The gas-phase refrigerant outlet 16e is an outlet for discharging the low-pressure side gas-phase refrigerant that has passed through the adsorbent filter 16f. The gas-phase refrigerant outlet 16e is formed on the top surface of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16. The suction port side of the compressor 11 is connected to the low-pressure side extraction unit 16.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16. The adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 is configured to adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent that constitutes the mixed refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle, and has a transport mechanism such as a positive displacement pump, for example.

[0046] Here, the refrigerant constituting the mixed refrigerant is a fluid in any of the gas phase state, liquid phase state, and gas-liquid two-phase state, but the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant is a solid in powder or particle form. Therefore, when the cycle is circulated as the mixed refrigerant, it is assumed that the physical laws used when adjusting the flow rate are significantly different between the fluid refrigerant and the particulate adsorbent.

[0047] For example, when adjusting the flow rate of the fluid refrigerant, by adjusting the size of the flow path cross-sectional area through which the fluid flows, the magnitude of the resistance to the fluid can be changed to achieve appropriate control. On the other hand, in order to control the flow rate of the adsorbent composed of a large number of particulate solids, even if the size of the flow path cross-sectional area is adjusted, due to the influence of the frictional resistance between each particle and the flow path wall surface and the frictional resistance generated between a large number of particles, it is assumed that a complex physical phenomenon will occur.

[0048] Here, in a transport mechanism such as a positive displacement pump, the object to be transported (i.e., a large number of adsorbents) is sucked in and confined in a certain sealed space, and the object to be transported is pushed out from the suction side to the discharge side by the displacement of the sealed space, thereby realizing the transport of the object to be transported.

[0049] In the case of such a transport mechanism, even if the adsorbent composed of a large number of particles is used as the object to be transported, the resistance and pressure acting on each particle can be approximated as the mutual relationship inside the sealed space. Furthermore, in such a transport mechanism, the moving speed of the adsorbent can be treated as the displacement speed of the sealed space (i.e., the apparent flow rate of the adsorbent). Also, by using a transport mechanism such as a positive displacement pump, it is considered that it is easy to make a linear response for the displacement speed of the sealed space (i.e., the apparent flow rate of the adsorbent), and the flow rate of the adsorbent can be linearly controlled.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 in the first embodiment is composed of a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 that adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 on the low-pressure side of the cycle to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12.

[0051] Here, the schematic configuration of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20. Here, in Figure 3, for ease of understanding, the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant is shown as adsorbent A.

[0052] The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, which is the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first embodiment, has a casing 21 having an inlet 23 and an outlet 24, and a transport mechanism such as a positive displacement pump. The casing 21 constitutes the outer shell of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 and has a cylindrical internal space 22 inside. An inlet 23 is formed at one end of the internal space 22, and an outlet 24 is formed at the other end of the internal space 22.

[0053] The inlet 23 is an opening through which the adsorbent A, which constitutes part of the mixed refrigerant, flows into the internal space 22. In the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the first embodiment, the inlet 23 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16. The outlet 24 is an opening through which the adsorbent A, which constitutes the mixed refrigerant, flows out of the internal space 22 into the cycle of the refrigeration cycle device 10. In the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the first embodiment, the outlet 24 is connected to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12.

[0054] As shown in Figure 3, a transport mechanism 25 is arranged in the internal space 22 of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20. The transport mechanism 25 according to the first embodiment has a rotor 26 that is rotatably supported inside the internal space 22 and is configured with a mechanism similar to that of a screw pump. The rotor 26 according to the first embodiment has a rotating shaft 26s that extends along the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical internal space 22 and a threaded portion 26a formed on the outer surface of the rotating shaft 26s in a spiral shape and extending along the axial direction. The space formed between adjacent threaded portions 26a in the internal space 22 corresponds to an example of a sealed space.

[0055] Accordingly, according to the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 of the first embodiment, by rotating the rotation shaft 26s of the rotor 26 in a predetermined direction, the adsorbent A, which is arranged between the threaded portions 26a in the internal space 22, can be transported from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24. At this time, by adjusting the rotation speed of the rotation shaft 26s, the speed at which the adsorbent A moves from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24 (i.e., the flow rate of the adsorbent A) can be adjusted. In this way, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 of the first embodiment can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent A moving from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the first embodiment includes a drive unit 31 and a variable resistor 32. The drive unit 31 is configured to supply driving force to the rotation shaft 26s of the rotor 26. As the drive unit 31, for example, an electric actuator such as a stepping motor or a brushless DC motor that generates driving force by power supply can be used. The operation of the drive unit 31 is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0057] The variable resistor 32 is configured to adjust the resistance force of the rotor 26 against the rotation shaft 26s, thereby applying a braking force to the rotation of the rotation shaft 26s. As the variable resistor 32, for example, a configuration can be adopted in which the braking force is varied by using a brake pad that applies frictional resistance to the rotation shaft 26s. The operation of the variable resistor 32 is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0058] Furthermore, as the variable resistor 32, a gear mechanism configured to allow selection of different reduction ratios in the force transmission mechanism from the drive unit 31 may be used. Also, if the drive unit 31 is configured with an electric motor, the variable resistor 32 may be an electromagnetic resistance to the rotation of the rotor of the electric motor.

[0059] Thus, in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the first embodiment, the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 26s can be adjusted by controlling the drive unit 31 and the variable resistor 32, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24. The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 also transports the adsorbent from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12. The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can reliably move the adsorbent using the driving force of the drive unit 31, thereby appropriately adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent.

[0060] Next, the control system of the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning system 1 has a control device 50 for controlling the operation of each component in the air conditioning system 1 and the refrigeration cycle system 10. The control device 50 has a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and its peripheral circuits. The control device 50 performs various calculations and processes based on a control program stored in the ROM. Then, based on the calculation and processing results, the control device 50 controls the operation of various controlled devices connected to the output side.

[0061] Various control sensors are connected to the input side of the control device 50. The control sensors include an internal temperature sensor, an external temperature sensor, a high-pressure sensor, a high-pressure temperature sensor, an evaporator pressure sensor, an evaporator temperature sensor, and the like (not shown).

[0062] The indoor air temperature sensor is an indoor air temperature detection unit that detects the indoor air temperature (i.e., indoor air temperature) Tr. The outdoor air temperature sensor is an outdoor air temperature detection unit that detects the outdoor air temperature (i.e., outdoor air temperature) Tam. The high-pressure pressure sensor is a high-pressure pressure detection unit that detects the high-pressure pressure Pd, which is the pressure of the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat exchanger 13. The high-pressure temperature sensor is a high-pressure temperature detection unit that detects the high-pressure temperature Td, which is the temperature of the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat exchanger 13.

[0063] The evaporator pressure sensor is an evaporator pressure detection unit that detects the evaporator pressure Pe, which is the pressure of the mixed refrigerant flowing out of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. The evaporator temperature sensor is an evaporator temperature detection unit that detects the evaporator temperature Te, which is the temperature of the mixed refrigerant flowing out of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15.

[0064] Furthermore, an operation panel (not shown) is connected to the input side of the control device 50 by wire or wireless connection. The control device 50 receives operation signals from various operation switches provided on the operation panel. The various operation switches provided on the operation panel include an operation switch, a temperature setting switch, an airflow setting switch, and so on.

[0065] The control device 50 is an integrated unit that controls various controlled devices connected to the output side. Therefore, the configuration (hardware and software) that controls the operation of each controlled device constitutes the control unit that controls the operation of each controlled device. For example, within the control device 50, the configuration that controls the operation of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 in order to adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle constitutes the adsorbent flow rate control unit.

[0066] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. In the air conditioning system 1, when the operating switch is turned on, the control device 50 executes a control program. The control program reads the detection signals of the control sensor group described above and the operation signals of the operation panel.

[0067] Then, based on the read detection and operation signals, the operation of various controlled devices is controlled. Subsequently, until the termination condition of the control program is met, the control routine, which involves reading the detection and operation signals and controlling various controlled devices based on the detection and operation signals, is repeated at predetermined control cycles.

[0068] More specifically, in this embodiment, the control program controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor 11 so that the evaporator temperature Te detected by the evaporator temperature sensor approaches the target evaporator temperature TEO. The target evaporator temperature TEO is calculated based on the internal temperature Tr detected by the internal temperature sensor, the external temperature Tam detected by the external temperature sensor, the set temperature Tset set by the temperature setting switch, etc.

[0069] Furthermore, the control program controls the throttle opening of the electric expansion valve 14 so that the high-pressure Pd detected by the high-pressure sensor approaches the target high-pressure PDO. The target high-pressure PDO is determined based on the high-pressure temperature Td detected by the high-pressure temperature sensor so that the cycle's operating efficiency approaches its maximum value.

[0070] In the refrigeration cycle device 10, when the control device 50 operates the compressor 11, the compressor 11 draws in the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant that has flowed out from the gaseous refrigerant outlet 16e of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, compresses it, and discharges it.

[0071] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the discharge nozzle section 12a of the discharge ejector 12. The refrigerant that flows into the discharge nozzle section 12a is depressurized isentropically and injected into the discharge mixing section 12e of the discharge body section 12b.

[0072] Here, the gaseous refrigerant extracted inside the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 flows out from the gaseous refrigerant outlet 16e toward the compressor 11, as described above. On the other hand, the remaining mixed refrigerant inside the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 flows out from inside the lower space 16a through the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d. The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d has a higher adsorbent composition ratio than before it flowed into the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 because the gaseous refrigerant has been extracted inside the low-pressure side extraction unit 16.

[0073] The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d is supplied to the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, with adsorbent making up the majority of the mixture. As described above, in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, the rotor 26 rotates due to the operation control of the drive unit 31 and the variable resistor 32, so that the adsorbent, which constitutes part of the mixed refrigerant, is supplied from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 toward the discharge side ejector 12.

[0074] At this time, in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, the rotational speed of the rotor 26 is controlled by the operation control of the drive unit 31 and the variable resistor 32, so that the movement speed of the adsorbent (i.e., the flow rate of the adsorbent) can be appropriately adjusted.

[0075] The mixed refrigerant that flows out from the outlet 24 of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 is supplied to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12. Here, in the discharge side ejector 12, the mixed refrigerant that flows out from the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 is drawn in from the discharge side suction port 12c by the suction action of the discharge side injected refrigerant sprayed from the discharge side nozzle portion 12a.

[0076] The mixed refrigerant drawn in from the discharge-side suction port 12c flows into the discharge-side mixing section 12e via the discharge-side suction passage 12d. In this case, if the mixed refrigerant drawn in from the discharge-side suction port 12c contains a liquid-phase refrigerant, the liquid-phase refrigerant will absorb heat from the discharge-side injected refrigerant and evaporate in the discharge-side mixing section 12e. As a result, the mixed refrigerant in the discharge-side mixing section 12e becomes a mixed refrigerant with an adsorbent mixed with the gaseous-phase refrigerant, and flows into the discharge-side pressurizing section 12f.

[0077] In the discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f, the kinetic energy of the mixed refrigerant is converted into pressure energy due to the action of the shock wave generated by the discharge-side injected refrigerant and the expansion of the passage cross-sectional area. As a result, the pressure of the mixed refrigerant increases. Then, as the pressure of the mixed refrigerant increases in the discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f, the amount of adsorption by the adsorbent increases, and the volume of the mixed refrigerant decreases.

[0078] The mixed refrigerant that flows out from the discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f of the discharge-side ejector 12 flows into the heat exchanger 13. The mixed refrigerant that flows into the heat exchanger 13 releases the internal energy stored when the adsorbent adsorbs the gas phase refrigerant as heat of adsorption to the outside air.

[0079] The mixed refrigerant that flows out of the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 flows into the electric expansion valve 14 and is depressurized. The mixed refrigerant that has been depressurized in the electric expansion valve 14 flows into the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. In the mixed refrigerant that has flowed into the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, the refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent as the pressure drops. At this time, the adsorbent absorbs heat from the blown air as heat of desorption. Furthermore, if the mixed refrigerant contains a liquid phase refrigerant, the liquid phase refrigerant evaporates and exerts an endothermic effect, thereby cooling the blown air.

[0080] The mixed refrigerant that flows out from the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 flows into the lower space 16a of the low-pressure side extraction section 16. A portion of the refrigerant contained in the mixed refrigerant that flows into the lower space 16a flows into the upper space 16b via the adsorbent filter 16f.

[0081] The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant that flows out from the upper space 16b is drawn into the compressor 11 and compressed again. The mixed refrigerant that flows out from the lower space 16a is supplied to the discharge-side suction port 12c of the discharge-side ejector 12 via the low-pressure-side flow rate adjustment unit 30.

[0082] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, the cooled air that passes through the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 is blown into the room, which is the space to be air-conditioned, thereby providing cooling for the room.

[0083] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant, which is a refrigerant mixed with an adsorbent. For this reason, the heat exchanger 13 for heat dissipation can dissipate the heat of adsorption that occurs when the adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant to the outside air. Also, the heat exchanger 15 for heat absorption can absorb the heat of desorption that occurs when the adsorbent desorbs the refrigerant from the blown air.

[0084] Therefore, according to the refrigeration cycle device 10 of the first embodiment, the pressure of the mixed refrigerant in the heat exchanger 13 and the pressure of the discharged refrigerant can be reduced compared to a conventional vapor compression type refrigeration cycle device in which an adsorbent is not mixed with the refrigerant. As a result, the operating efficiency of the cycle can be improved.

[0085] In a refrigeration cycle system that circulates a mixed refrigerant, if the adsorbent is drawn into the compressor along with the refrigerant, it may negatively affect the compressor's lifespan. In contrast, the refrigeration cycle system 10 according to the first embodiment is equipped with a low-pressure side extraction unit 16, which prevents the compressor 11 from drawing in the adsorbent.

[0086] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 of the first embodiment is equipped with a discharge-side transport unit. In the discharge-side transport unit, the pressure energy of the discharged refrigerant is used to transport the mixed refrigerant to the discharged refrigerant side, thus enabling the realization of a transport unit with fewer sliding and sealing parts. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment can improve the reliability of a refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant, which is a refrigerant mixed with an adsorbent.

[0087] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment, a discharge-side ejector 12 is specifically employed as the discharge-side transport unit. This allows the adsorbent to be pressurized and transported with less power consumption than a booster composed of a powder pump or the like. Moreover, the discharge-side ejector 12 allows the refrigerant and mixed refrigerant to be mixed with a compact and simple configuration.

[0088] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment, a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 is provided as an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, which can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent that constitutes the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle. This makes it possible to adjust the ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0089] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant that flows from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12. The low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is configured to extract refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle. Therefore, with respect to the flow of the mixed refrigerant, by adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 downstream of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle can be controlled with high precision.

[0090] Furthermore, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the first embodiment has a drive unit 31 and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12. The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can move the adsorbent toward the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12 by the driving force of the drive unit 31, and by controlling the movement speed of the adsorbent, it can adjust to an appropriate flow rate of the adsorbent.

[0091] As described above, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment has a compressor 11, a discharge-side ejector 12, a heat exchanger for heat dissipation 13, a heat exchanger for heat absorption 15, and a low-pressure side extraction unit 16, and can constitute a so-called hybrid type refrigeration cycle device. Therefore, in the heat exchanger for heat dissipation 13 and the heat exchanger for heat absorption 15, the adsorption and desorption reactions that occur when the refrigerant is adsorbed and desorbed onto the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant can be utilized to improve the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0092] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment has a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, so that the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle as a mixed refrigerant can be adjusted. The adsorbent that constitutes the mixed refrigerant behaves differently from the refrigerant, which is a fluid. For this reason, by arranging an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, which is a flow rate adjustment mechanism different from that of the refrigerant, the circulating flow rate of the adsorbent in the cycle can be controlled, and the composition ratio of the refrigerant and adsorbent that constitute the mixed refrigerant can be appropriately adjusted.

[0093] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant moving from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12. Since the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is configured to extract refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle, the flow rate of the adsorbent can be adjusted by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 on the downstream side of the mixed refrigerant flow. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment can accurately manage the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle using the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30.

[0094] Furthermore, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the first embodiment has a drive unit 31 and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12. The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can realize the movement of the adsorbent from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side suction port 12c by the driving force of the drive unit 31, and by controlling the movement of the adsorbent, it can adjust to an appropriate flow rate of the adsorbent.

[0095] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment, which differs from the embodiment described above, will be described with reference to Figure 4. The air conditioning system 1 according to the second embodiment includes a refrigeration cycle system 10, which is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle system, and a control device 50, etc., similar to the embodiment described above.

[0096] The refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, except that it has a high-pressure side extraction unit 17 and a confluence unit 18, and that the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 has a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 instead of a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30. Therefore, other configurations of the air conditioning device 1 and refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment (for example, the discharge side ejector 12, the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, etc.) are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, so a further explanation will be omitted.

[0097] The configuration of the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. As described above, in the second embodiment, a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is used as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 instead of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is directly connected to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12.

[0098] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment, the mixed refrigerant inlet 17c side of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger 13 for heat dissipation. The high-pressure side extraction unit 17 extracts a portion of the mixed refrigerant that does not contain adsorbents from the mixed refrigerant that flows out of the heat exchanger 13 for heat dissipation. In other words, the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 can be called a high-pressure side separation unit that separates the refrigerant that does not contain adsorbents from the mixed refrigerant.

[0099] The state of the refrigerant extracted in the high-pressure extraction unit 17 is affected by the pressure of the mixed refrigerant flowing out from the heat exchanger 13, the ambient temperature where the high-pressure extraction unit 17 is located, the type of refrigerant, the amount of refrigerant charged, and so on. In other words, the refrigerant extracted in the high-pressure extraction unit 17 can be a supercritical refrigerant, a gaseous refrigerant, a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, or a liquid-phase refrigerant.

[0100] Furthermore, the state of the remaining mixed refrigerant after it has been extracted in the high-pressure extraction unit 17 is affected by the pressure of the mixed refrigerant flowing out of the heat exchanger 13, the ambient temperature at the location where the high-pressure extraction unit 17 is located, the type of refrigerant, the amount of refrigerant charged, and so on.

[0101] In other words, the remaining mixed refrigerant after the refrigerant has been extracted in the high-pressure extraction unit 17 can be a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing the adsorbent with a supercritical refrigerant, a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing the adsorbent with a gaseous refrigerant, a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing the adsorbent with a gaseous two-phase refrigerant, or a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing the adsorbent with a liquid refrigerant.

[0102] The high-pressure side extraction unit 17, like the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, is formed by a metal cylindrical container with a bottom that forms a space inside, and is positioned so that its axial direction is vertical. A flat plate-shaped filter 17f is placed inside the internal space of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17. The filter 17f divides the internal space of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 into an upper space 17b and a lower space 17a in the vertical direction. The filter 17f is an adsorbent filter unit that has selective permeability, allowing the gaseous phase refrigerant separated from the mixed refrigerant to pass through, while at least preventing the adsorbent from passing through.

[0103] The lower space 17a is connected to the mixed refrigerant inlet 17c and mixed refrigerant outlet 17d of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17. The lower space 17a employs a configuration that extracts refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant by utilizing the difference in specific gravity between the refrigerant and the adsorbent. As a result, the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 extracts the gaseous refrigerant into the upper space 17b.

[0104] The mixed refrigerant outlet 17d is an outlet for discharging the mixed refrigerant stored in the lower space 17a (i.e., the remaining mixed refrigerant after the gas phase refrigerant has been extracted). Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the mixed refrigerant outlet 17d may include the remaining refrigerant in addition to the adsorbent. The mixed refrigerant outlet 17d is formed on the bottom surface of the high-pressure side extraction section 17. The confluence section 18 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet 17d via the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40, which is the adsorbent flow rate adjustment section 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0105] The refrigerant outlet 17e of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 is connected to the upper space 17b. The refrigerant outlet 17e is an outlet for discharging the refrigerant that has passed through the filter 17f. The refrigerant outlet 17e is formed on the top surface of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17. In the second embodiment, an electric expansion valve 14 is connected to the refrigerant outlet 17e of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17. The configuration of the electric expansion valve 14 is the same as in the embodiment described above.

[0106] As described above, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment has a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20. The high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is configured to adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle, similar to the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 in the first embodiment, and has a transport mechanism such as a positive displacement pump.

[0107] That is, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the second embodiment has a casing 21 having an inlet 23 and an outlet 24, and a transport mechanism such as a positive displacement pump, similar to the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 shown in Figure 3. The casing 21 has a cylindrical internal space 22. An inlet 23 is formed at one end of the internal space 22, and an outlet 24 is formed at the other end of the internal space 22.

[0108] In the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the inlet 23 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet 17d of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 located on the high-pressure side of the cycle, and the outlet 24 is connected to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 on the low-pressure side of the cycle via the confluence unit 18. Therefore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant flowing from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 on the high-pressure side of the cycle to the confluence unit 18 and the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 on the low-pressure side of the cycle.

[0109] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the second embodiment has a rotor 26 that is rotatably supported inside the internal space 22 as a transport mechanism, and has a mechanism similar to that of a screw pump. The rotor 26 has a rotating shaft 26s that is supported inside the cylindrical internal space 22 and a threaded portion 26a formed on the outer surface of the rotating shaft 26s.

[0110] As a result, according to the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 of the second embodiment, by rotating the rotation axis 26s of the rotor 26 in a predetermined direction, the adsorbent A, which is placed between the threaded portions 26a in the internal space 22, can be transported from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24.

[0111] In the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the inlet 23 is connected to the high-pressure side of the cycle, and the outlet 24 is connected to the low-pressure side of the cycle. Therefore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can use the high-pressure difference of the cycle to form a flow of adsorbent material from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24.

[0112] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a variable resistor 42. Similar to the variable resistor 32 of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, the variable resistor 42 is configured to adjust the resistance force of the rotor 26 against the rotation axis 26s, and applies a braking force to the rotation of the rotation axis 26s. The operation of the variable resistor 42 is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0113] As a result, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can adjust the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s due to the high and low pressure difference of the cycle using the braking force of the variable resistor 42. In other words, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, within a range where the flow rate is limited to the flow rate determined by the high and low pressure difference of the cycle.

[0114] As shown in Figure 4, a three-way joint structure confluence section 18 is located on the outlet 24 side of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40. In the confluence section 18, two of the three inlet and outlet ports are used as inlets, and the remaining one is used as an outlet. As described above, the outlet of the electric expansion valve 14 is connected to one of the inlets in the confluence section 18, and the outlet 24 of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40 is connected to the other inlet in the confluence section 18. The mixed refrigerant inlet side of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 is connected to the outlet of the confluence section 18.

[0115] Therefore, at the confluence section 18, the refrigerant, which has been depressurized by the electric expansion valve 14, and the mixed refrigerant containing the adsorbent, whose flow rate has been adjusted by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40, are combined and supplied to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. The configuration of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 and the low-pressure side extraction section 16 is the same as in the embodiment described above, so a further explanation will be omitted.

[0116] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. When the operating switch of the air conditioning system 1 according to the second embodiment is turned on, the control device 50 operates the compressor 11. The compressor 11 draws in the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant that flows out from the gaseous refrigerant outlet 16e of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, compresses it, and discharges it.

[0117] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the discharge nozzle section 12a of the discharge ejector 12. The refrigerant that flows into the discharge nozzle section 12a is depressurized isentropically and injected into the discharge mixing section 12e of the discharge body section 12b.

[0118] Here, the gaseous refrigerant extracted inside the low-pressure extraction section 16 flows out from the gaseous refrigerant outlet 16e toward the compressor 11, as described above. On the other hand, the remaining mixed refrigerant inside the low-pressure extraction section 16 flows out from inside the lower space 16a through the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d.

[0119] The mixed refrigerant that flows out from the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d is supplied to the discharge-side suction port 12c of the discharge-side ejector 12. Here, in the discharge-side ejector 12, the mixed refrigerant is drawn in through the discharge-side suction port 12c by the suction action of the discharge-side injected refrigerant sprayed from the discharge-side nozzle portion 12a.

[0120] The operation of the discharge-side ejector 12 and the heat exchanger 13 is the same as in the embodiment described above. The mixed refrigerant that flows into the heat exchanger 13 releases the internal energy stored when the adsorbent adsorbs the gas phase refrigerant to the outside air as heat of adsorption.

[0121] The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the heat exchanger 13 flows into the lower space 17a of the high-pressure side extraction section 17 via the mixed refrigerant inlet 17c. A portion of the refrigerant contained in the mixed refrigerant flowing into the lower space 17a flows into the upper space 17b via the filter 17f. The refrigerant flowing out from the upper space 17b is depressurized by the electric expansion valve 14 and flows out to the confluence section 18.

[0122] Meanwhile, the remaining mixed refrigerant, from which some of the refrigerant has been extracted in the high-pressure side extraction unit 17, flows out from the lower space 17a via the mixed refrigerant outlet 17d and is supplied to the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40. In the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the rotor 26 rotates according to the high and low pressure difference of the cycle, and the operation of the variable resistor 42 is controlled. As a result, the adsorbent, which constitutes part of the mixed refrigerant, is supplied from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 toward the confluence unit 18 and the heat exchanger 15 for heat absorption, and the movement speed of the adsorbent (i.e., the flow rate of the adsorbent) can be appropriately adjusted.

[0123] The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the outlet 24 of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 merges with the refrigerant that has been depressurized by the electric expansion valve 14 at the confluence unit 18 and flows out toward the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. As the pressure decreases in the mixed refrigerant flowing into the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, the refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent. At this time, the adsorbent absorbs heat from the blown air as heat of desorption. Furthermore, if the mixed refrigerant contains liquid phase refrigerant, the liquid phase refrigerant evaporates and exerts an endothermic effect, thereby cooling the blown air.

[0124] The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 flows into the lower space 16a of the low-pressure side extraction section 16. A portion of the refrigerant contained in the mixed refrigerant flowing into the lower space 16a flows into the upper space 16b via the adsorbent filter 16f. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out from the upper space 16b is drawn into the compressor 11 and compressed again. The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the lower space 16a is supplied to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12.

[0125] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1 according to the second embodiment, the cooled air that passes through the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 is blown into the room, which is the space to be air-conditioned, thereby enabling cooling of the room.

[0126] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant, which is a refrigerant mixed with an adsorbent. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment can reduce the pressure of the mixed refrigerant in the heat exchanger 13 and the pressure of the discharged refrigerant compared to a conventional vapor compression type refrigeration cycle device in which an adsorbent is not mixed with the refrigerant. As a result, the operating efficiency of the cycle can be improved.

[0127] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment, a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is provided as an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, which can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent that constitutes the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle. This makes it possible to adjust the ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0128] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant that flows from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. The high-pressure side extraction unit 17 is configured to extract refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle. Therefore, with respect to the flow of the mixed refrigerant, by adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent in the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 downstream of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17, the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle can be controlled with high precision.

[0129] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the second embodiment adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 using the high-pressure difference of the cycle. By utilizing the high-pressure difference of the cycle, the energy efficiency required for adjusting the flow rate of the heat absorption material circulating in the cycle can be increased. In addition, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a variable resistor 42, which can appropriately reduce the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s. As a result, the flow rate of the heat absorption material by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can be appropriately reduced, and the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle can be appropriately adjusted.

[0130] As described above, according to the refrigeration cycle device 10 of the second embodiment, even when a high-pressure side extraction unit 17 is provided and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is adopted instead of a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, the effects and advantages obtained from the same configuration and operation as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0131] As shown in Figure 4, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent that constitutes the mixed refrigerant moving from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 10 can accurately manage the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle.

[0132] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the second embodiment adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 using the high-pressure difference of the cycle. By utilizing the high-pressure difference of the cycle, the energy efficiency required for adjusting the flow rate of the heat absorption material circulating in the cycle can be increased. In addition, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a variable resistor 42, which can appropriately reduce the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s. As a result, the flow rate of the heat absorption material by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can be appropriately reduced, and the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle can be appropriately adjusted.

[0133] As shown in Figure 4, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment has a high-pressure side extraction unit 17. The high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. Since the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 is configured to extract refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle, the flow rate of the adsorbent can be adjusted by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 downstream of the mixed refrigerant flow. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the second embodiment can accurately manage the ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle using the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40.

[0134] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment, which differs from the embodiments described above, will be described with reference to Figure 5. The refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment is applied to an air conditioning system 1 that includes a refrigeration cycle device 10 which is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device and a control device 50, etc., similar to the embodiments described above.

[0135] The refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment has a high-pressure side extraction unit 17 and a confluence unit 18, similar to the second embodiment, and has a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the manner of operation control in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 differs from that of the above-described embodiment.

[0136] Therefore, the other components of the air conditioning system 1 and refrigeration cycle system 10 according to the third embodiment (for example, the discharge-side ejector 12, the low-pressure-side extraction unit 16, etc.) are the same as those in the embodiments described above, and therefore, further explanation is omitted.

[0137] As shown in Figure 5, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment includes a compressor 11, a discharge-side ejector 12, a heat exchanger for heat dissipation 13, an electric expansion valve 14, a heat exchanger for heat absorption 15, a low-pressure side extraction unit 16, a high-pressure side extraction unit 17, and a merging unit 18.

[0138] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment, the compressor 11 has the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment, and compresses the inhaled refrigerant and discharges it to the discharge-side ejector 12. The discharge-side ejector 12 has the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, and corresponds to the discharge-side transport section. The discharge-side suction port 12c of the discharge-side ejector 12 is connected to the gas phase refrigerant outlet 16e of the low-pressure side extraction section 16.

[0139] The discharge-side pressure boosting section 12f of the discharge-side ejector 12 is connected to the mixed refrigerant inlet side of the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13. The heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 is a heat exchanger that uses the mixed refrigerant flowing out from the discharge-side ejector 12 to dissipate the internal energy stored when the adsorbent adsorbs the gaseous refrigerant as heat of adsorption to the outside air, and is an example of a heat dissipation section.

[0140] The mixed refrigerant inlet 17c of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet side of the heat exchanger 13 for heat dissipation. The specific configuration of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 has already been explained, so a further explanation will be omitted. The refrigerant inlet side of the electric expansion valve 14 is connected to the refrigerant outlet 17e of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17. In addition, the inlet 23 of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet 17d of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17.

[0141] The electric expansion valve 14 is a pressure reducing unit that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant extracted in the high-pressure side extraction unit 17, similar to the embodiment described above. One of the inlets in the confluence unit 18 is connected to the refrigerant outlet side of the electric expansion valve 14.

[0142] The high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is one of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment units 20 according to the third embodiment, and has the same configuration as the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the second embodiment. The high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent that constitutes the remaining mixed refrigerant after the refrigerant has been extracted in the high-pressure side extraction unit 17. The high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 transports the adsorbent using the high and low pressure difference of the cycle and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent as appropriate by controlling the operation of the variable resistor 42. The outlet 24 of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is connected to the other inlet of the confluence unit 18.

[0143] The confluence section 18 combines the refrigerant, which has been depressurized by the electric expansion valve 14, with the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out from the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40, and discharges it to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. The heat absorption heat exchanger 15 is a heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the blown air by the heat of desorption generated when the refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent, and is an example of a heat absorption section.

[0144] The mixed refrigerant inlet 16c of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet side of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. The low-pressure side extraction unit 16 in the third embodiment has the same configuration as the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 in the first embodiment. The gas phase refrigerant outlet 16e of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 is connected to the suction port side of the compressor 11. The inlet 23 of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 is connected to the mixed refrigerant inlet 16c of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16.

[0145] The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 is one of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment units 20 according to the third embodiment, and has the same configuration as the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the first embodiment. The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent that constitutes the remaining mixed refrigerant after the refrigerant has been extracted in the low-pressure side extraction unit 16. The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent appropriately by controlling the operation of the drive unit 31 and the variable resistor 32. The outlet 24 of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 is connected to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12.

[0146] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. When the operating switch of the air conditioning system 1 according to the third embodiment is turned on, the control device 50 operates the compressor 11. The compressor 11 draws in the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant that flows out from the gaseous refrigerant outlet 16e of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, compresses it, and discharges it.

[0147] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the discharge nozzle section 12a of the discharge ejector 12. The refrigerant that flows into the discharge nozzle section 12a is depressurized isentropically and injected into the discharge mixing section 12e of the discharge body section 12b.

[0148] Here, the gaseous refrigerant extracted inside the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 flows out from the gaseous refrigerant outlet 16e toward the compressor 11, as described above. Meanwhile, the remaining mixed refrigerant inside the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 flows from inside the lower space 16a through the mixed refrigerant outlet 16d toward the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30.

[0149] As described above, in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, the rotor 26 rotates due to the operation control of the drive unit 31 and the variable resistor 32, so that the adsorbent, which constitutes part of the mixed refrigerant, is supplied from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 toward the discharge side ejector 12.

[0150] At this time, in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, the rotational speed of the rotor 26 is controlled by the operation control of the drive unit 31 and the variable resistor 32, so that the movement speed of the adsorbent (i.e., the flow rate of the adsorbent) can be appropriately adjusted. The mixed refrigerant that flows out from the outlet 24 of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 is supplied to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12.

[0151] The operation of the discharge-side ejector 12 and the heat exchanger 13 is the same as in the embodiment described above. The mixed refrigerant that flows into the heat exchanger 13 releases the internal energy stored when the adsorbent adsorbs the gas phase refrigerant to the outside air as heat of adsorption.

[0152] The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the heat exchanger 13 flows into the lower space 17a of the high-pressure side extraction section 17 via the mixed refrigerant inlet 17c. In the high-pressure side extraction section 17, similar to the second embodiment described above, the refrigerant constituting the incoming mixed refrigerant is extracted and flows out from the refrigerant outlet 17e. At the same time, the high-pressure side extraction section 17 flows out the remaining mixed refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant outlet 17d. The refrigerant flowing out from the refrigerant outlet 17e of the high-pressure side extraction section 17 flows into the electric expansion valve 14, is depressurized, and flows out to the confluence section 18.

[0153] In the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the rotor 26 rotates according to the high and low pressure difference of the cycle, and the operation of the variable resistor 42 is controlled. As a result, the adsorbent, which constitutes part of the mixed refrigerant, is supplied from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 toward the confluence unit 18 and the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, and the movement speed of the adsorbent (i.e., the flow rate of the adsorbent) can be appropriately adjusted.

[0154] The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the outlet 24 of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 merges with the refrigerant that has been depressurized by the electric expansion valve 14 at the confluence unit 18 and flows out toward the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. As the pressure decreases in the mixed refrigerant flowing into the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, the refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent. At this time, the adsorbent absorbs heat from the blown air as heat of desorption. Furthermore, if the mixed refrigerant contains liquid phase refrigerant, the liquid phase refrigerant evaporates and exerts an endothermic effect, thereby cooling the blown air.

[0155] The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 flows into the lower space 16a of the low-pressure side extraction section 16. A portion of the refrigerant contained in the mixed refrigerant flowing into the lower space 16a flows into the upper space 16b via the adsorbent filter 16f. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out from the upper space 16b is drawn into the compressor 11 and compressed again. The mixed refrigerant flowing out from the lower space 16a is supplied to the discharge side suction port 12c of the discharge side ejector 12.

[0156] In this third embodiment, the refrigeration cycle device 10 includes a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, and each adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant at different positions in the refrigeration cycle. For this reason, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment, the control mode of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the control mode of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can be linked with respect to the flow rate adjustment of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle.

[0157] Specifically, in the third embodiment, the control device 50 controls the operation of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 so that the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12 is equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15.

[0158] For example, the flow rate of the adsorbent by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 may be controlled so as to be equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, or the flow rate of the adsorbent by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 may be controlled so as to be equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30. Alternatively, the operation of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 may be controlled so that the flow rate of the adsorbent by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 and the flow rate of the adsorbent by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 become predetermined flow rates.

[0159] As a result, according to the refrigeration cycle device 10 of the third embodiment, the ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle can be adjusted to an appropriate state by controlling the operation of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 10 of the third embodiment can appropriately cause the adsorption and desorption reactions of the refrigerant to the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant, and can efficiently generate the heat of adsorption and desorption.

[0160] Furthermore, by detecting the amount of adsorbent present inside the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 and the amount of adsorbent present inside the high-pressure side extraction unit 17, the accuracy of flow rate control in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can be improved. The amount of adsorbent present inside the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 can be detected, for example, by a detection sensor using a sight glass formed in the lower space 16a or by a change in the weight of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16. Similarly, the amount of adsorbent present inside the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 can also be detected, for example, by a detection sensor using a sight glass formed in the lower space 17a or by a change in the weight of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17.

[0161] Furthermore, regarding the control of the operation of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s in the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 are changed in synchronization. According to this configuration, when the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle of the refrigeration cycle device 10 is uniform, the flow rate of the adsorbent can be adjusted to maintain uniformity.

[0162] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1 according to the third embodiment, the cooled air that passes through the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 is blown into the room, which is the space to be air-conditioned, thereby enabling cooling of the room.

[0163] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant, which is a refrigerant mixed with an adsorbent. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment can improve the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0164] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment, a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 are arranged as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, allowing adjustment of the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle. This makes it possible to adjust the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0165] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant that flows from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12. Also, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant that flows from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15.

[0166] As described above, the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 and the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 are configured to extract refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle. Therefore, by adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 downstream in the flow of the mixed refrigerant, the ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle can be controlled with high precision.

[0167] Furthermore, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the third embodiment has a drive unit 31 and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12 located on the high-pressure side of the cycle. The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can reliably achieve the movement of the adsorbent from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side suction port 12c by the driving force of the drive unit 31. As a result, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can adjust to an appropriate flow rate of the adsorbent by controlling the amount of adsorbent movement.

[0168] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the third embodiment adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 using the high-pressure difference of the cycle. By utilizing the high-pressure difference of the cycle, the energy efficiency required for adjusting the flow rate of the heat absorption material circulating in the cycle can be increased. In addition, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a variable resistor 42, which can appropriately reduce the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s. This makes it possible to appropriately reduce the flow rate of the heat absorption material by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, and thus appropriately adjust the composition ratio of refrigerant and adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle.

[0169] As described above, according to the refrigeration cycle device 10 of the third embodiment, even when a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 are used as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, the effects and advantages obtained from the same configuration and operation as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0170] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment, with respect to the flow of the mixed refrigerant, the flow rate of the adsorbent is adjusted by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 downstream of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, and the flow rate of the adsorbent is adjusted by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 downstream of the high-pressure side extraction unit 17. The low-pressure side extraction unit 16 and the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 have the function of extracting refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle and temporarily storing the remaining mixed refrigerant.

[0171] As a result, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can utilize the storage function of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 and the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 when adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle. Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, by utilizing the storage function of the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 and the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 when adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle, the composition ratio of refrigerant and adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant can be adjusted to an appropriate ratio with greater precision.

[0172] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the third embodiment controls the operation of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 so that the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12 is equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing from the high-pressure side extraction unit 17 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. By controlling the flow rate of the adsorbent adjusted by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 to be equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent adjusted by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the composition ratio of refrigerant and adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle can be adjusted to an appropriate ratio.

[0173] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment, which differs from the embodiments described above, will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is applied to an air conditioning system 1 that includes a refrigeration cycle device 10 which is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device and a control device 50, etc., similar to the embodiments described above.

[0174] The refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is configured by replacing the electric expansion valve 14 of the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment with a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40. Therefore, other components of the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment (for example, the discharge side ejector 12, the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, etc.) are the same as in the embodiments described above, and will not be explained again.

[0175] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that on the high-pressure side of the refrigeration cycle, almost all of the refrigerant in the mixed refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent.

[0176] As described above, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is configured by replacing the electric expansion valve 14 in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the first embodiment with a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 which serves as an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20. As shown in Figure 6, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment has a compressor 11, a discharge side ejector 12, a heat exchanger for heat dissipation 13, a heat exchanger for heat absorption 15, a low-pressure side extraction unit 16, and further has a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40.

[0177] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is located between the mixed refrigerant outlet of the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 and the mixed refrigerant inlet of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15.

[0178] The high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 in the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment has a casing 21 having an inlet 23 and an outlet 24, and a transport mechanism such as a positive displacement pump. The casing 21 has a cylindrical internal space 22. An inlet 23 is formed at one end of the internal space 22, and an outlet 24 is formed at the other end of the internal space 22.

[0179] In the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the inlet 23 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet of the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 located on the high-pressure side of the cycle, and the outlet 24 is connected to the mixed refrigerant inlet side of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 located on the low-pressure side of the cycle. Therefore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 on the high-pressure side of the cycle to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 on the low-pressure side of the cycle.

[0180] As shown in Figure 7, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment has a rotor 26 that is rotatably supported inside the internal space 22 as a transport mechanism, and has a mechanism similar to that of a screw pump. The rotor 26 has a rotating shaft 26s that is supported inside the cylindrical internal space 22 and a threaded portion 26a formed on the outer surface of the rotating shaft 26s.

[0181] As a result, according to the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 of the fourth embodiment, by rotating the rotation axis 26s of the rotor 26 in a predetermined direction, the adsorbent A, which is placed between the threaded portions 26a in the internal space 22, can be transported from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24.

[0182] In the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the inlet 23 is connected to the high-pressure side of the cycle, and the outlet 24 is connected to the low-pressure side of the cycle. Therefore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can use the high-pressure difference of the cycle to form a flow of adsorbent material from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24.

[0183] As shown in Figure 6, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment has a variable resistor 42. Similar to the embodiments described above, the variable resistor 42 is configured to adjust the resistance force of the rotor 26 against the rotation axis 26s, and applies a braking force to the rotation of the rotation axis 26s. The operation of the variable resistor 42 is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0184] As a result, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can adjust the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s due to the high and low pressure difference of the cycle using the braking force of the variable resistor 42. In other words, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, within a range where the flow rate is limited to the flow rate determined by the high and low pressure difference of the cycle.

[0185] As described above, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is arranged in place of the electric expansion valve 14 in the first embodiment. For this reason, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment has a refrigerant pressure reduction function in addition to the flow rate adjustment function of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle.

[0186] In addition, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the operation from the compressor 11 to the heat exchanger 13 for heat dissipation, the operation of the heat exchanger 15 for heat absorption, the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, and the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 are the same as in the first embodiment described above.

[0187] Here, the refrigerant pressure reduction function in the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 will be explained with reference to Figure 7. As described above, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, on the high-pressure side of the cycle, almost all of the refrigerant in the mixed refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent. For this reason, in the section from the discharge side pressure boosting unit 12f of the discharge side ejector 12 to the pressure reduction in the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the flow of the refrigerant constituting the mixed refrigerant is blocked and exhibits high pressure.

[0188] In other words, as shown in Figure 7, in the internal space 22 of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40, in the section formed between the inlet 23 and the threaded portion 26a closest to the outlet 24, the refrigerant is in a state where it has absorbed heat from the heat-absorbing material, and the composition ratio of the adsorbent is much higher than that of the refrigerant.

[0189] On the other hand, in the internal space 22 of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40, with respect to the flow of the mixed refrigerant, downstream of the threaded portion 26a closest to the outlet 24, the volume to which the mixed refrigerant can move in communication with the low-pressure side of the cycle via the outlet 24 expands. That is, in the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40, when the refrigerant moves downstream of the threaded portion 26a closest to the outlet 24, the refrigerant constituting the mixed refrigerant expands and the pressure is reduced.

[0190] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the pressure on the low-pressure side of the cycle is set so that the flow rate of refrigerant drawn into the compressor 11 is balanced by the flow rate of refrigerant supplied when the high-pressure side of the cycle is connected to the low-pressure side by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40.

[0191] Thus, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a function to adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle, as well as a pressure reduction function targeting the refrigerant constituting the mixed refrigerant.

[0192] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the cooled air that passes through the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 is blown into the room, which is the space to be air-conditioned, thereby enabling cooling of the room.

[0193] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant, which is a refrigerant mixed with an adsorbent. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment can improve the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0194] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 are arranged as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, allowing adjustment of the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle. This makes it possible to adjust the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0195] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant moving from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12. Also, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant moving from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. As a result, the refrigeration cycle device 10 can manage the composition ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle.

[0196] Furthermore, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the fourth embodiment has a drive unit 31 and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12 located on the high-pressure side of the cycle. The low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can reliably realize the movement of the adsorbent from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side suction port 12c by the driving force of the drive unit 31. By controlling the movement of the adsorbent, the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can appropriately adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle.

[0197] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 using the high-low pressure difference of the cycle. By utilizing the high-low pressure difference of the cycle, the energy efficiency required for adjusting the flow rate of the heat absorption material circulating in the cycle can be increased. In addition, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a variable resistor 42, which can appropriately reduce the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s. This makes it possible to appropriately reduce the flow rate of the heat absorption material by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, and thus appropriately adjust the composition ratio of refrigerant and adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle.

[0198] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment controls the operation of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 so that the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12 is equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15. By controlling the flow rate of the adsorbent adjusted by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 to be equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent adjusted by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the composition ratio of refrigerant and adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle can be adjusted to an appropriate ratio.

[0199] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, and can also reduce the pressure of the refrigerant constituting the mixed refrigerant. In other words, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can function in the same way as the electric expansion valve 14 in the first embodiment.

[0200] As described above, according to the refrigeration cycle device 10 of the fourth embodiment, even when a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 as an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 is provided in place of the electric expansion valve 14, the effects and advantages obtained from the same configuration and operation as the third embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0201] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment, which differs from the embodiments described above, will be described with reference to Figure 8. The refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment is applied to an air conditioning system 1 that includes a refrigeration cycle device 10 which is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device and a control device 50, etc., similar to the embodiments described above.

[0202] The refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment eliminates the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 of the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment described above, and the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 is configured as the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40. Therefore, the other components of the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment (for example, the discharge side ejector 12, the low-pressure side extraction unit 16, etc.) are the same as those of the fourth embodiment described above, so a further explanation is omitted.

[0203] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment, it is assumed that on the high-pressure side of the refrigeration cycle, almost all of the refrigerant in the mixed refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent.

[0204] As described above, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment is a configuration in which the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is abolished and replaced with a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40. Accordingly, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fifth embodiment adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant flowing from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, and also reduces the pressure of the refrigerant constituting the mixed refrigerant.

[0205] As shown in Figure 8, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment includes a compressor 11, a discharge-side ejector 12, a heat exchanger for heat dissipation 13, a heat exchanger for heat absorption 15, a low-pressure side extraction unit 16, and further includes a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40.

[0206] The high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a casing 21 having an inlet 23 and an outlet 24, and a transport mechanism such as a positive displacement pump.

[0207] In the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the inlet 23 is connected to the mixed refrigerant outlet of the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 located on the high-pressure side of the cycle, and the outlet 24 is connected to the mixed refrigerant inlet side of the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 located on the low-pressure side of the cycle. Therefore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 on the high-pressure side of the cycle to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 on the low-pressure side of the cycle.

[0208] As shown in Figure 7, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fifth embodiment has a rotor 26 that is rotatably supported inside the internal space 22 as a transport mechanism, and has a mechanism similar to that of a screw pump. The rotor 26 has a rotating shaft 26s that is supported inside the cylindrical internal space 22 and a threaded portion 26a formed on the outer surface of the rotating shaft 26s.

[0209] As a result, according to the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 of the fifth embodiment, by rotating the rotation axis 26s of the rotor 26 in a predetermined direction, the adsorbent A, which is placed between the threaded portions 26a in the internal space 22, can be transported from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24.

[0210] As shown in Figure 8, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fifth embodiment has a variable resistor 42. Similar to the embodiments described above, the variable resistor 42 is configured to adjust the resistance force of the rotor 26 against the rotation axis 26s, and applies a braking force to the rotation of the rotation axis 26s. The operation of the variable resistor 42 is controlled by a control signal output from the control device 50.

[0211] As a result, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can adjust the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s due to the high and low pressure difference of the cycle using the braking force of the variable resistor 42. In other words, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, within a range where the flow rate is limited to the flow rate determined by the high and low pressure difference of the cycle.

[0212] As described above, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a refrigerant pressure reduction function in addition to the flow rate adjustment function of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle, similar to the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fourth embodiment. The refrigerant pressure reduction function of the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fifth embodiment has already been explained in the fourth embodiment, so a further explanation will be omitted.

[0213] Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment, the operation from the compressor 11 to the heat exchanger 13 for heat dissipation, the heat exchanger 15 for heat absorption, and the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 are the same as in the first and fourth embodiments described above. Also, the operation from the low-pressure side extraction unit 16 to the discharge side ejector 12 is the same as in the second embodiment described above.

[0214] As described above, in the air conditioning system 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the cooled air that passes through the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 is blown into the room, which is the space to be air-conditioned, thereby enabling cooling of the room.

[0215] Furthermore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment is a hybrid type refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant, which is a refrigerant mixed with an adsorbent. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment can improve the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0216] In the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment, a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 is provided as an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20, which can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent that constitutes the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle. This makes it possible to adjust the ratio of refrigerant to adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the cycle.

[0217] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fifth embodiment adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15 using the high-low pressure difference of the cycle. By utilizing the high-low pressure difference of the cycle, the energy efficiency required for adjusting the flow rate of the heat absorption material circulating in the cycle can be increased. In addition, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 has a variable resistor 42, which can appropriately reduce the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 26s. This makes it possible to appropriately reduce the flow rate of the heat absorption material by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, and thus appropriately adjust the composition ratio of refrigerant and adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle.

[0218] Furthermore, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the fifth embodiment adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant from the heat dissipation heat exchanger 13 to the heat absorption heat exchanger 15, and can also reduce the pressure of the refrigerant constituting the mixed refrigerant. In other words, in the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the fifth embodiment, the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 can function in the same way as the electric expansion valve 14 in the first embodiment.

[0219] As described above, according to the refrigeration cycle device 10 of the fifth embodiment, even when the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 is configured as a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 and the electric expansion valve 14 is replaced by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, the same effects and advantages as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0220] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, as follows.

[0221] In the embodiments described above, an example of applying the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the present disclosure to an air conditioning system was explained, but the application of the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, it may be applied to vehicle air conditioning systems, refrigeration systems, refrigerators, etc.

[0222] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explained an example in which R744 was used as the refrigerant and MOF was used as the adsorbent, it is not limited to this. As long as the conditions are met, in addition to R744, R1234yf, R134a, R600a, R410a, R404A, R32, R407C, R290, ammonia, R1234ze, or a mixture thereof may be used as the refrigerant.

[0223] Furthermore, in addition to MOFs, zeolites, activated carbon, and hydrates may be used as adsorbents in this disclosure, provided that the conditions are met.

[0224] Furthermore, in adsorbents with pores, when the representative opening diameter of the pores on the surface of the adsorbent is defined as the average opening diameter, it is desirable that the representative diameter of the molecules constituting the refrigerant is smaller than the average opening diameter.

[0225] The representative opening diameter of a pore can be defined as the diameter of the circle that has the average opening area of ​​the pore. Similarly, the representative diameter of a refrigerant molecule can be defined as the diameter of a sphere having the average volume of a single molecule, obtained by dividing the molecular weight of the refrigerant by its density at standard conditions and Avogadro's number.

[0226] In the above-described embodiment, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 was configured with a transport mechanism similar to that of a screw pump inside a cylindrical casing 21, but the configuration is not limited to this. The adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 can be configured in various ways as long as it can transport the adsorbent that constitutes the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle and adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent (in other words, the movement speed of the adsorbent).

[0227] A first modified example of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first modified example has a transport mechanism, such as a vane pump, which is an example of a positive displacement pump, in the internal space 22 of a casing 21 having an inlet 23 and an outlet 24.

[0228] The transport mechanism 25 of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first modified example includes a rotor 26 rotatably supported about a rotation axis 26s in a cylindrically formed internal space 22, and a plurality of vanes 26b arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 26. The rotation axis 26s of the rotor 26 is positioned eccentrically from the central axis in the cylindrical internal space 22. As a result, the rotor 26 is positioned such that the size of the space formed between the internal space 22 and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 26 changes.

[0229] Multiple grooves are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 26 at predetermined intervals, and plate-shaped vanes 26b are slidably inserted into each groove. Each vane 26b is biased radially outward on the inside of the groove, and the tip of each vane 26b abuts against the inner wall surface of the internal space 22. The means for biasing the vanes 26b may be an elastic body such as a spring, or a configuration utilizing air pressure. As the rotor 26, which is positioned eccentrically, rotates, the distance from the inner wall surface of the internal space 22 changes, causing the vanes 26b to move in and out of the grooves.

[0230] As described above, the internal space 22 of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first modified example has an inlet 23 and an outlet 24 in communication. In the first modified example, when the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant flows in from the inlet 23, it is contained in a space partitioned by the inner wall surface of the internal space 22, the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 26, and a pair of adjacent vanes 26b. The space partitioned by the inner wall surface of the internal space 22, the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 26, and a pair of adjacent vanes 26b corresponds to an example of a sealed space.

[0231] As the rotor 26 rotates, this space moves from the inlet 23 side towards the outlet 24 side, and when it comes into communication with the outlet 24, the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant contained inside is discharged from the outlet 24. As a result, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first modified example can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle by adjusting the rotation speed of the rotor 26.

[0232] As shown in Figure 9, the outlet 24 is positioned such that the distance between the inner wall surface of the internal space 22 and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 26 is greater than or equal to the distance at the location where the inlet 23 is formed. This allows the space at the location where the outlet 24 is formed to be greater than or equal to the space at the location where the inlet 23 is formed, in terms of the size of the space partitioned by the inner wall surface of the internal space 22, the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 26, and the adjacent pair of vanes 26b.

[0233] In other words, when adjusting the flow rate of the adsorbent in the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first modified example, the space in which the adsorbent is contained becomes smaller than when it flows into the internal space 22, thereby suppressing situations in which pressure acts on each adsorbent due to contact, etc. This suppresses deformation of the adsorbent due to pressure, etc., and ensures the performance of the adsorbent.

[0234] Furthermore, in the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first modified example, a drive unit and a variable resistor can be used to adjust the rotational speed of the rotor 26 and the rotating shaft 26s, similar to the embodiment described above. That is, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the first modified example can be applied to either the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 or the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 in the embodiment described above.

[0235] A second modified example of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the second modified example has a transport mechanism, such as a gear pump, which is an example of a positive displacement pump, in the internal space 22 of a casing 21 having an inlet 23 and an outlet 24.

[0236] The transport mechanism 25 of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the second modified example is composed of a pair of gear-shaped rotors 26 that are rotatably supported in the internal space 22 around a rotation axis 26s. Multiple teeth 26c are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotors 26 at predetermined intervals. In the internal space 22 of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the second modified example, the pair of rotors 26 are arranged so that their respective teeth 26c are meshed together.

[0237] As described above, the internal space 22 of the adsorption flow rate adjustment unit 20 in the second modified example has an inlet 23 and an outlet 24 in communication. In the second modified example, the inlet 23 is located where a pair of gear-shaped rotors 26 mesh, and the outlet 24 is located opposite the inlet 23 via the pair of rotors 26. The pair of rotors 26 are arranged to rotate in a direction in which the teeth 26c located on the inlet 23 side move away from each other.

[0238] In the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 according to the second modified example, when the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant flows in from the inlet 23, it is contained in a space partitioned by the inner wall surface of the internal space 22 and the teeth 26c of each rotor 26. The space partitioned by the inner wall surface of the internal space 22 and the teeth 26c of each rotor 26 corresponds to an example of a sealed space.

[0239] The adsorbent contained between the teeth 26c is transported along with the teeth 26c as each rotor 26 rotates and moves along the inner wall surface of the internal space 22. When the space between the teeth 26c communicates with the outlet 24, the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant contained inside is discharged from the outlet 24. As a result, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the second modified example can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle by adjusting the rotation speed of the rotor 26.

[0240] Furthermore, in the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the second modified example, a drive unit and a variable resistor can be used to adjust the rotational speed of the rotor 26 and the rotating shaft 26s, similar to the embodiment described above. That is, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the second modified example can be applied to either the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 or the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 in the embodiment described above.

[0241] A third modified example of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 11. As shown in Figure 11, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the third modified example has a transport mechanism configured as a rotary mechanism, which is an example of a positive displacement pump, in the internal space 22 of a casing 21 having an inlet 23 and an outlet 24.

[0242] The transport mechanism 25 of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the third modified example has a rotor 26 in which a plurality of partition walls 26d are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 26s. The internal space 22 in the third modified example is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the rotating shaft 26s is rotatably arranged at a position corresponding to the central axis in the cylindrical internal space 22.

[0243] Multiple partition walls 26d are arranged on the outer surface of the rotating shaft 26s at predetermined intervals, dividing the internal space 22 into multiple spaces. Within the internal space 22, the spaces partitioned by adjacent partition walls 26d correspond to an example of a sealed space.

[0244] As shown in Figure 11, the internal space 22 of the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the third modified example has an inlet 23 and an outlet 24 in communication. In the third modified example, when the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant flows in from the inlet 23, it is contained in a space partitioned by a pair of adjacent partition walls 26d on the rotor 26. As the rotor 26 rotates, the adsorbent contained between the partition walls 26d is transported together with the teeth 26c that move along the inner wall surface of the internal space 22 as the rotor 26 rotates. When the space between the partition walls 26d communicates with the outlet 24, the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant contained inside is discharged from the outlet 24. In this way, the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the third modified example can adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle by adjusting the rotation speed of the rotor 26.

[0245] Furthermore, in the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit 20 according to the third modified example, a variable resistor can be used to adjust the rotational speed of the rotor 26 and the rotating shaft 26s, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0246] The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to this disclosure only needs to have an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit at at least one location in the cycle. In the embodiment described above, there were a maximum of two adsorbent flow rate adjustment units in the cycle: a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit. However, adsorbent flow rate adjustment units may be placed at more locations.

[0247] Furthermore, although the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 in the above-described embodiment had a drive unit 31 and a variable resistor 32, it is not limited to this embodiment. For example, if a drive unit capable of variable output control is used as the drive unit 31 of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30, the variable resistor 32 may be omitted. In this case, the flow rate of the adsorbent in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can be adjusted by controlling the output of the drive unit 31. Also, if the drive unit 31 operates at a predetermined output, a configuration is adopted in which the braking force of the variable resistor 32 is variably controlled. In this case, the flow rate of the adsorbent in the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 30 can be adjusted by controlling the braking force of the variable resistor 32.

[0248] The high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40 according to the above embodiment operates using the high and low pressure difference of the cycle to adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent in the mixed refrigerant circulating in the cycle, but it is not limited to this embodiment. That is, even in the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit 40, it is possible to arrange a drive unit that generates a driving force in conjunction with the power supply, and to configure the system to adjust the flow rate of the adsorbent by the driving force of the drive unit.

[0249] The event described in this disclosure, "the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing into the discharge-side transport section (12) by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment section (30) and the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing into the heat absorption section (15) by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section (40) become equal," is not necessarily limited to simultaneous occurrence. For example, considering a long-term perspective such as a predetermined period, a configuration in which the flow rates by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40 are equal may be temporarily adopted. More specifically, for example, in order to make the flow rate by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40 equal over a predetermined period, a control configuration in which either the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 30 or the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40 operates intermittently may be adopted. Furthermore, time-averaged flow rates can be used for the flow rates by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 30 and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment section 40 over a predetermined period.

[0250] The features of the refrigeration cycle apparatus disclosed herein are as follows: (Item 1) A refrigeration cycle apparatus for circulating a mixed refrigerant, which is a mixture of a refrigerant and an adsorbent that adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant, comprising: a low-pressure side extraction unit (16) for extracting the refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant; a compression unit (11) for sucking in, compressing, and discharging the refrigerant extracted in the low-pressure side extraction unit; a discharge side transport unit (12) for transporting the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the low-pressure side extraction unit to the discharge refrigerant side using the pressure energy of the discharged refrigerant discharged from the compression unit; a heat dissipation unit (13) for discharging the heat of adsorption generated when the refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the discharge side transport unit; and a heat absorption unit (15) for desorbing the refrigerant from the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat dissipation unit and causing the mixed refrigerant to absorb the heat. (Item 2) The refrigeration cycle apparatus having an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit (20, 30, 40) that adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle by housing the adsorbent, which circulates in the cycle as the mixed refrigerant, in a sealed space and controlling the displacement of the sealed space. (Item 1) The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Item 1, wherein the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit (20, 30) is connected to an adsorbent outlet (16d) from which the adsorbent separated from the mixed refrigerant by the low-pressure side extraction unit (16) flows out, and is a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) that adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant toward the discharge side transport unit (12). (Item 3) The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Item 1, wherein the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit (20, 40) is a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) that adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out from the heat dissipation unit (13) toward the heat absorption unit (15). (Item 4) The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Item 1, wherein the adsorbent flow rate adjustment units (20, 30, 40) are connected to the adsorbent outlet (16d) from which the adsorbent separated from the mixed refrigerant by the low-pressure side extraction unit (16) flows out, and the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant toward the discharge side transport unit (12), and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out from the heat dissipation unit (13) toward the heat absorption unit (15).(Item 5) The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Item 4, wherein the operation of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) is controlled so that the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing into the discharge side transport unit (12) by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) is equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing into the heat absorption unit (15) by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40). (Item 6) The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Item 2 or 4, wherein the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) has a drive unit (31) that generates a driving force by supplying power from an external source, and the driving force generated by the drive unit adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing from the adsorbent outlet (16d) to the discharge side transport unit (12). (Item 7) The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Item 3 or 4, wherein the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing from the heat dissipation unit (13) to the heat absorption unit (15) by the high-low pressure difference in the cycle. (Item 8) A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of items 3 to 5, comprising a high-pressure side extraction unit (17) that extracts the refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant flowing out from the heat dissipation unit (13) and flows the extracted refrigerant into the heat absorption unit (15), wherein the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) is connected to an adsorbent outlet (17d) from which the adsorbent separated from the mixed refrigerant by the high-pressure side extraction unit flows out, and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent toward the heat absorption unit (15).

[0251] This disclosure is described in accordance with the embodiments, but it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments or structures. This disclosure also includes various modifications and variations within the equivalence. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms that include only one, more, or fewer of those elements, fall within the scope and concept of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A refrigeration cycle device that circulates a mixed refrigerant, which is a mixture of a refrigerant and an adsorbent that adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant, comprising: a low-pressure side extraction unit (16) that extracts the refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant; a compression unit (11) that sucks in the refrigerant extracted in the low-pressure side extraction unit, compresses it, and discharges it; a discharge side transport unit (12) that uses the pressure energy of the discharged refrigerant discharged from the compression unit to transport the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the low-pressure side extraction unit to the discharged refrigerant side; a heat dissipation unit (13) that dissipates the heat of adsorption generated when the refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the discharge side transport unit; and a heat absorption unit (15) that desorbs the refrigerant from the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat dissipation unit and causes the mixed refrigerant to absorb the heat. A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: an adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit (20, 30, 40) that houses the adsorbent, which circulates in the cycle as the mixed refrigerant, in a sealed space and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent circulating in the cycle by controlling the displacement of the sealed space.

2. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit (20, 30) is connected to the adsorbent outlet (16d) from which the adsorbent separated from the mixed refrigerant by the low-pressure side extraction unit (16) flows out, and the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant toward the discharge side transport unit (12).

3. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adsorbent flow rate adjustment unit (20, 40) is a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) that adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out from the heat dissipation unit (13) toward the heat absorption unit (15).

4. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adsorbent flow rate adjustment units (20, 30, 40) are connected to an adsorbent outlet (16d) from which the adsorbent separated from the mixed refrigerant by the low-pressure side extraction unit (16) flows out, and include a low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) that adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent contained in the mixed refrigerant toward the discharge side transport unit (12), and a high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) that adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent constituting the mixed refrigerant that has flowed out from the heat dissipation unit (13) toward the heat absorption unit (15).

5. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation of the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit and the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit is controlled such that the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing into the discharge side transport unit (12) by the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) is equal to the flow rate of the adsorbent flowing into the heat absorption unit (15) by the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40).

6. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the low-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (30) has a drive unit (31) that generates a driving force by supplying power from an external source, and the flow rate of the adsorbent moving from the adsorbent outlet (16d) to the discharge side transport unit (12) is adjusted by the driving force generated by the drive unit.

7. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent from the heat dissipation unit (13) to the heat absorption unit (15) based on the high and low pressure difference in the cycle.

8. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a high-pressure side extraction unit (17) that extracts the refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant flowing out from the heat dissipation unit (13) and flows the extracted refrigerant into the heat absorption unit (15), wherein the high-pressure side flow rate adjustment unit (40) is connected to an adsorbent outlet (17d) from which the adsorbent separated from the mixed refrigerant by the high-pressure side extraction unit flows out, and adjusts the flow rate of the adsorbent toward the heat absorption unit (15).

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