Chiller
The integrated accumulator and receiver design in the chiller addresses inefficiencies by controlling refrigerant flow with a single check valve, enhancing performance and stability while reducing complexity and costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LG ELECTRONICS INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-16
AI Technical Summary
Conventional chillers face inefficiencies due to the lack of a receiver, leading to reduced refrigerant control, slow refrigerant filling, and compromised performance, especially in systems with limited space, and additional valves increase complexity and costs.
A chiller design integrating an accumulator and receiver as a single unit, utilizing a heat exchange pipe and a single check valve to control refrigerant flow, enhancing refrigerant density and subcooling efficiency.
Improves chiller performance by optimizing refrigerant control and filling speed, reducing complexity and costs, and maintaining system stability across different operating modes.
Smart Images
Figure KR2025023265_16072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
chiller
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a chiller, and more specifically, to a chiller comprising an accumulator and a receiver.
[0002] A chiller is a device primarily used in industrial and commercial air conditioning systems that can cool or heat desired spaces or equipment through heat exchange using refrigerant. Generally, a chiller includes a refrigeration cycle consisting of a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve, and may additionally include an accumulator and a receiver.
[0003] Conventional chillers sometimes omitted a receiver due to insufficient internal space to accommodate the various components constituting the refrigeration cycle. In such cases, the inability to control the amount of refrigerant via the receiver leads to a problem of reduced chiller efficiency.
[0004] Published Patent Application No. 10-2018-0045193 discloses a receiver-integrated accumulator. The receiver-integrated accumulator uses a method of controlling the flow of refrigerant inside the receiver by installing valves at the inlet and outlet of the receiver, respectively.
[0005] While this method offers the advantage of precise control over refrigerant flow, the installation of additional valves leads to an increase in the number of parts and higher material costs. Furthermore, it raises concerns that increasing system complexity may compromise control stability.
[0006] Meanwhile, in a conventional structure where the refrigerant exchanges heat with the outside air through the outer wall of the receiver, the heat exchange efficiency is low, resulting in a problem where the rate at which the refrigerant fills the receiver is slow. This can reduce the chiller's performance by lowering the refrigerant circulation speed and system responsiveness.
[0007] The technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide a chiller capable of solving the various problems of the aforementioned prior art.
[0008] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a chiller comprising a receiver in a limited floor area.
[0009] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a chiller in which an accumulator and a receiver are integrally formed.
[0010] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a chiller that controls the amount of refrigerant through a receiver connected to a single valve.
[0011] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a chiller in which a refrigerant is rapidly filled into a receiver.
[0012] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a chiller that increases the density and encapsulation amount of the refrigerant contained in the receiver.
[0013] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a chiller that additionally secures a degree of subcooling of the liquid refrigerant.
[0014] The problems of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.
[0015] To solve the above problem, a chiller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant discharged from the compressor with air; an indoor heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant discharged from the compressor with a heat medium; an accumulator for supplying refrigerant to the compressor; a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger; and a receiver connected to the refrigerant pipe for adjusting the refrigerant flow rate, wherein the receiver comprises a receiving portion for receiving refrigerant and a heat exchange pipe penetrating the accumulator.
[0016] The length of the heat exchange pipe passing through the inside of the accumulator may be longer than the length located outside the accumulator.
[0017] The lower surface of the above receiver may be positioned to contact the upper surface of the above accumulator.
[0018] The above accumulator includes an inlet pipe through which gaseous refrigerant supplied to a compressor is introduced and disposed inside the accumulator, and the heat exchange pipe may penetrate the accumulator so as to be positioned above the inlet pipe.
[0019] The heat exchange pipe may be located below the free end of the inlet pipe to exchange heat with the liquid refrigerant inside the accumulator.
[0020] The chiller includes a first expansion valve and a second expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant pipe, the heat exchange pipe is connected to the refrigerant pipe between the indoor heat exchanger and the second expansion valve and to a first receiver path, and the receiving portion may be connected to the refrigerant pipe between the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve and to a second receiver path.
[0021] The above chiller may include a first valve disposed in the second receiver path.
[0022] The first valve mentioned above may be a check valve.
[0023] The above chiller operates in a cooling mode in which the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and in the cooling mode, the refrigerant in the receiving section can join the refrigerant pipe through the first receiver passage.
[0024] The above chiller operates in a heating mode in which the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and in the heating mode, a portion of the refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger flows into the receiving portion through the heat exchange pipe, and a portion of the refrigerant that has flowed into the receiving portion can join the refrigerant pipe through the check valve.
[0025] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.
[0026] According to the chiller of the present disclosure, there is one or more of the following effects.
[0027] The accumulator and the receiver are formed as a single unit, so that the performance of the chiller can be improved even in a chiller with a limited floor area by including the receiver.
[0028] Through the check valve connected to the receiver, the amount of refrigerant can be controlled with optimal efficiency during heating and cooling operation without the need for separate valve control in the system.
[0029] Through the heat exchange piping of the receiver that exchanges heat with the refrigerant inside the accumulator, the refrigerant can be rapidly condensed, allowing the receiver to be rapidly filled, and the density and enclosed amount of the refrigerant contained in the receiver can be increased.
[0030] Through the heat exchange piping of the receiver, the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant exiting the condenser can be additionally secured, and the performance of the chiller can be improved.
[0031] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a chiller by symbol according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a chiller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure operating in a heating mode.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a chiller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure operating in a cooling mode.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view and an enlarged view of a receiver-integrated accumulator of a chiller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components are given the same reference number regardless of the drawing symbols, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0037] The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the ease of drafting the specification, and do not inherently possess distinct meanings or roles.
[0038] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art may obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description is omitted. Furthermore, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings; it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the concept and technical scope of this disclosure.
[0039] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.
[0040] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.
[0041] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0042] In this application, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of a chiller (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be seen.
[0044] The compressor (11) compresses the refrigerant. The compressor (11) can compress the gaseous refrigerant and then discharge it. A flow of refrigerant can be formed by the pressure difference created by the compressor (11). The compressed refrigerant may be in a high-temperature, high-pressure superheated vapor state.
[0045] The oil separator (12) can be connected to the discharge port of the compressor (11). The oil separator (12) can be placed in the discharge path (51). The compressor (11) may use oil to reduce friction that occurs during the compression process of the refrigerant. The oil may be discharged together with the compressed refrigerant. The oil separator (12) can separate and recover the oil discharged from the compressor (11) from the refrigerant.
[0046] The switching valve (13) can switch the flow path. The switching valve (13) can be connected to the compressor (11) and the discharge flow path (51). The switching valve (13) can send the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) to the outdoor heat exchanger (14) or indoor heat exchanger (15) to be described later. The switching valve (13) may be a four-way valve.
[0047] The outdoor heat exchanger (14) exchanges heat between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) and the air. The refrigerant can pass through the outdoor heat exchanger (14). The air can pass through the outdoor heat exchanger (14).
[0048] When the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger (14) by the switching valve (13), the outdoor heat exchanger (14) can function as a condenser. This can be called a cooling mode. Alternatively, when the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) is sent to the indoor heat exchanger (15), the outdoor heat exchanger (14) can function as an evaporator. This can be called a heating mode.
[0049] The first connecting path (52) can connect the switching valve (13) and the outdoor heat exchanger (14).
[0050] The indoor heat exchanger (15) exchanges heat between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) and a heat medium. The refrigerant may pass through the indoor heat exchanger (15). The heat medium may pass through the indoor heat exchanger (15). The heat medium may be water.
[0051] When the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) is sent to the indoor heat exchanger (15) by the switching valve (13), the indoor heat exchanger (15) can function as a condenser. Alternatively, when the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger (14), the indoor heat exchanger (15) can function as an evaporator.
[0052] The refrigerant pipe (53) connects the outdoor heat exchanger (14) and the indoor heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant pipe (53) may include a first refrigerant pipe (53a), a second refrigerant pipe (53b), and a third refrigerant pipe (53c).
[0053] The first expansion valve (61) and the second expansion valve (62) may be placed in the refrigerant pipe (53). The first expansion valve (61) and the second expansion valve (62) may be electric expansion valves. The first expansion valve (61) and the second expansion valve (62) may control the expansion of the refrigerant by controlling the opening degree. Alternatively, the first expansion valve (61) and the second expansion valve (62) may be fully open or closed.
[0054] The first refrigerant pipe (53a) may refer to the part of the refrigerant pipe (53) that connects the outdoor heat exchanger (14) and the first expansion valve (61).
[0055] The second refrigerant pipe (53b) may refer to the part of the refrigerant pipe (53) that connects the first expansion valve (61) and the second expansion valve (62).
[0056] The third refrigerant pipe (53c) may refer to the part of the refrigerant pipe (53) that connects the second expansion valve (62) and the indoor heat exchanger (15).
[0057] The second connecting channel (54) can connect the indoor heat exchanger (15) and the switching valve (13).
[0058] The accumulator (30) supplies refrigerant to the compressor (11). The accumulator (30) can supply gaseous refrigerant to the compressor (11). The accumulator (30) can separate gaseous refrigerant from liquid refrigerant. The accumulator (30) can prevent liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor (11).
[0059] If liquid refrigerant is introduced into the compressor (11), the compressor (11) may be damaged due to liquid compression. The accumulator (30) can prevent the compressor (11) from being damaged or the efficiency of the chiller (1) from decreasing.
[0060] The inflow path (55) can connect the switching valve (13) and the accumulator (30).
[0061] The accumulator (30) may include an inlet pipe (56). Gaseous refrigerant may be introduced through the inlet pipe (56). The inlet pipe (56) may be connected to the inlet of the compressor (11). Gaseous refrigerant introduced through the inlet pipe (56) may be supplied to the compressor (11).
[0062] The accumulator (30) can recover oil flowing with the refrigerant. The oil recovered in the accumulator (30) can be sent to the compressor (11) through the oil passage (57).
[0063] An oil valve (63) can be placed in the oil passage (57). The amount of oil sent to the compressor (11) can be controlled by opening and closing the oil valve (63).
[0064] The receiver (40) can store refrigerant. The receiver (40) is connected to the refrigerant pipe (53) to regulate the flow rate of the refrigerant. The receiver (40) can store liquid refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe (53).
[0065] The outdoor heat exchanger (14) may have a larger volume than the indoor heat exchanger (15). In heating mode, the refrigerant may be condensed in the indoor heat exchanger (15), and in cooling mode, the refrigerant may be condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (14). As a result, a relatively large amount of refrigerant is required in cooling mode, and the system can operate stably with only a relatively small amount of refrigerant in heating mode.
[0066] The receiver (40) can control the amount of refrigerant circulation according to the operating mode of the chiller (1), and the chiller (1) can maintain optimal system efficiency.
[0067] The receiver (40) includes a receiving section (41) and a heat exchange pipe (42). The receiving section (41) receives a refrigerant. The receiving section (41) can receive a liquid refrigerant. Depending on the operating mode of the chiller (1), the liquid refrigerant may be stored in the receiving section (41) or released from the receiving section (41) and joined to the refrigerant pipe (53).
[0068] The heat exchange pipe (42) passes through the accumulator (30). The heat exchange pipe (42) passes through the accumulator (30), allowing the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange pipe (42) to exchange heat with the refrigerant inside the accumulator (30). The heat exchange pipe (42) can be connected to the receiving portion (41).
[0069] The first receiver passage (58) can be connected to the third refrigerant pipe (53c) and the heat exchange pipe (42). Through the first receiver passage (58), the refrigerant can be introduced into the receiver (40) or discharged from the receiver (40).
[0070] The second receiver channel (59) can connect the second refrigerant pipe (53b) and the receiving section (41). Through the second receiver channel (59), the refrigerant inside the receiving section (41) can be joined to the second refrigerant pipe (53b).
[0071] The first valve (43) may be placed in the second receiver path (59). Depending on the opening and closing of the first valve (43), the refrigerant flow of the receiver (40) can be controlled.
[0072] The first valve (43) may be a check valve (43) that allows refrigerant to flow from the receiver (40) to the refrigerant pipe (53). The check valve (43) may allow refrigerant to flow from the receiving portion (41) to the second refrigerant pipe (53b). Due to the check valve (43), the refrigerant may not flow from the second refrigerant pipe (53b) to the receiving portion (41).
[0073] As described above, the refrigerant flowing through the receiver (40) can be controlled by a single check valve (43). Unlike an electric expansion valve, a solenoid valve, etc., the check valve (43) has the advantage of not requiring separate control through a control unit.
[0074] Therefore, even if the chiller (1) operates in various modes such as cooling or heating, complex processes such as installing individually controlled valves at the inlet and outlet of the receiver (40) to control the amount of refrigerant passing through the receiver (40) may not be required. This can further improve the reliability and stability of the chiller (1) system.
[0075] In addition, material costs can be reduced by using fewer valves than the number of valves used in conventional chillers (1).
[0076] Referring to FIG. 2, the chiller (1) can operate in a heating mode in which the indoor heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser.
[0077] In heating mode, the switching valve (13) can be switched to connect the discharge path (51) and the second connecting path (54), and to connect the inflow path (55) and the first connecting path (52). The second expansion valve (62) can be fully opened.
[0078] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) can flow through the switching valve (13) to the indoor heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant can condense by exchanging heat with the heat medium passing through the indoor heat exchanger (15).
[0079] The condensed refrigerant may be a liquid refrigerant. A portion of the liquid refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger (15) may flow into the heat exchange pipe (42) of the receiver (40) through the first receiver passage (58).
[0080] The heat exchange pipe (42) can accommodate a portion of the refrigerant. The heat exchange pipe (42) can accommodate a portion of the liquid refrigerant flowing into the receiving portion (41) of the receiver (40). As a result, the amount of refrigerant that can be accommodated in the receiver (40) can be increased without increasing the volume of the receiving portion (41). Even if there is a large difference in the amount of refrigerant required when the chiller (1) operates in cooling mode and heating mode, the receiver (40) can accommodate more refrigerant, allowing it to operate at optimal efficiency, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the chiller (1).
[0081] The liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange pipe (42) passes through the heat exchange pipe (42) and can exchange heat with the refrigerant inside the accumulator (30). In this process, the liquid refrigerant can be cooled below the saturation temperature and its density can increase. As a result, the receiver (40) can accommodate a larger amount of refrigerant in the same volume.
[0082] The liquid refrigerant flowing into the first receiver channel (58) can fill the receiving section (41). When the receiving section (41) is filled with refrigerant, the refrigerant can flow into the second refrigerant pipe (53b) through the second receiver channel (59) connected to the receiving section (41). The refrigerant flowing into the second refrigerant pipe (53b) can be combined with the remaining refrigerant that did not flow into the first receiver channel (58).
[0083] At this time, the refrigerant that has passed through the receiver (40) is cooled as it passes through the heat exchange pipe (42), so its temperature may be lower than that of the refrigerant that has not passed through the receiver (40). The refrigerant that has passed through the receiver (40) can be cooled to below the saturation temperature, and as a result, the temperature of the total refrigerant combined in the second refrigerant pipe (53b) may be below the saturation temperature. As a result, the stability and efficiency of the chiller (1) can be further improved.
[0084] The combined refrigerant can be expanded by passing through the first expansion valve (61). The expanded refrigerant can evaporate by exchanging heat with air while passing through the outdoor heat exchanger (14).
[0085] The refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger (14) can flow into the accumulator (30). The refrigerant flowing into the accumulator (30) may be a low-temperature gaseous refrigerant. Accordingly, the refrigerant passing through the heat exchange pipe (42) can be cooled by exchanging heat with the low-temperature refrigerant inside the accumulator (30).
[0086] In the accumulator (30), the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the compressor (11), and the refrigerant can be continuously circulated.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 3, the chiller (1) can operate in a cooling mode in which the indoor heat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator.
[0088] In cooling mode, the switching valve (13) can be switched to connect the discharge path (51) and the first connecting path (52), and to connect the inflow path (55) and the second connecting path (54). The first expansion valve (61) can be fully opened.
[0089] The refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) can flow through the switching valve (13) to the outdoor heat exchanger (14). The refrigerant can condense by exchanging heat with air as it passes through the outdoor heat exchanger (14).
[0090] The condensed refrigerant may be a liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger (14) may expand by passing through the first refrigerant pipe (53a) and the second refrigerant pipe (53b) and passing through the second expansion valve (62). At this time, the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe (53b) may not flow into the receiving portion (41) by means of the check valve (43).
[0091] As the refrigerant passes through the second expansion valve (62), it can be expanded and become a low-pressure refrigerant. Since the third refrigerant pipe (53c), through which the expanded low-pressure refrigerant flows, has a pressure lower than that of the receiver (40) in which the liquid refrigerant is received, the refrigerant received in the receiver (40) can flow into the third refrigerant pipe (53c) due to the pressure difference.
[0092] The refrigerant contained in the receiver (40) can be combined with the refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant pipe (53c) via the first receiver passage (58). During this process, the receiver (40) can be emptied. The combined refrigerant can pass through the indoor heat exchanger (15) and evaporate by exchanging heat with the heat medium.
[0093] The refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger (15) can be introduced into the accumulator (30). In the accumulator (30), the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the compressor (11), and the refrigerant can be continuously circulated.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 4, the receiver (40) and the accumulator (30) can be formed as a single unit. This can be referred to as a receiver-integrated accumulator (20). Since the receiver (40) and the accumulator (30) are formed as a single unit, the receiver (40) can be installed even in a limited space inside the chiller (1), thereby improving the efficiency of the chiller (1).
[0095] The receiver (40) may be positioned above the accumulator (30). The lower side of the receiver (40) may come into contact with the upper side of the accumulator (30). The receiver (40) and the accumulator (30) may be separated by a partition plate (21). The refrigerant contained within the receiver (40) and the refrigerant within the accumulator (30) may exchange heat with each other through the partition plate (21).
[0096] The temperature of the refrigerant contained in the accumulator (30) may be lower than the ambient temperature. As a result, the refrigerant contained in the receiver (40) can be cooled more efficiently by exchanging heat with the refrigerant inside the accumulator (30), and its density can be increased. Therefore, the amount of refrigerant contained in the receiver (40) can be increased, and the refrigerant can be filled into the receiver (40) quickly.
[0097] The heat exchange pipe (42) can pass through the accumulator (30) and be connected to the receiving portion (41). The length of the heat exchange pipe (42) passing through the inside of the accumulator (30) may be longer than the length located outside the accumulator (30). Accordingly, the amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant passing through the heat exchange pipe (42) and the refrigerant inside the accumulator (30) may be increased, and the amount of refrigerant received in the heat exchange pipe (42) may be increased.
[0098] The accumulator (30) may include an inlet pipe (56). The inlet pipe (56) is positioned inside the accumulator (30) so that gaseous refrigerant supplied to the compressor (11) can be introduced.
[0099] The free end of the inlet pipe (56) can be positioned adjacent to the upper side of the accumulator (30) so that gaseous refrigerant is introduced and liquid refrigerant is not introduced.
[0100] The heat exchange pipe (42) can pass through the accumulator (30) so as to be positioned above the inlet pipe (56). At least a portion of the heat exchange pipe (42) can be positioned above the inlet pipe (56). As a result, the refrigerant flowing into the inlet pipe (56) can exchange heat with the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange pipe (42) and flow into the inlet pipe (56) in a gaseous state. Thus, the compressor (11) can be protected and the system stability of the chiller (1) can be improved.
[0101] The heat exchange pipe (42) may be located below the free end of the inlet pipe (56) to exchange heat with the liquid refrigerant inside the accumulator (30). At least a portion of the heat exchange pipe (42) may be located below the inlet pipe (56). As a result, the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange pipe (42) can exchange heat with the liquid refrigerant inside the accumulator (30) and be cooled more efficiently below the saturation temperature.
[0102] Additionally, the liquid refrigerant inside the accumulator (30) can evaporate by exchanging heat with the high-temperature refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange pipe (42). As a result, the amount of gaseous refrigerant inside the accumulator (30) increases, and the amount of gaseous refrigerant flowing into the inlet pipe (56) can also increase.
[0103] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A compressor that compresses refrigerant; An outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air from the refrigerant discharged from the above compressor; An indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a heat medium for the refrigerant discharged from the above compressor; An accumulator that supplies refrigerant to the above compressor; A refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger; and It includes a receiver connected to the above refrigerant pipe to adjust the refrigerant flow rate, and The above receiver is, A receiving section for accommodating refrigerant, and A chiller including a heat exchange pipe penetrating the above-mentioned accumulator.
2. In Paragraph 1, The above heat exchange piping is, A chiller whose length passing through the inside of the accumulator is longer than the length located outside the accumulator.
3. In Paragraph 1, The lower side of the above receiver is a chiller positioned to contact the upper side of the above accumulator.
4. In Paragraph 1, The above accumulator includes an inlet pipe through which gaseous refrigerant, disposed inside the accumulator and supplied to the compressor, flows in. The above heat exchange pipe is a chiller that penetrates the accumulator so as to be positioned above the above inlet pipe.
5. In Paragraph 4, The heat exchange pipe is a chiller located below the free end of the inlet pipe to exchange heat with the liquid refrigerant inside the accumulator.
6. In Paragraph 1, The above chiller is, It includes a first expansion valve and a second expansion valve disposed in the above refrigerant pipe, and The above heat exchange piping is, The refrigerant pipe between the indoor heat exchanger and the second expansion valve is connected to the first receiver passage, and The above receiving part is, A chiller connected to the refrigerant pipe between the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve and the second receiver path.
7. In Paragraph 6, A chiller comprising a first valve disposed in the second receiver path.
8. In Paragraph 7, The first valve above is a chiller that is a check valve for flowing refrigerant from the receiver to the refrigerant pipe.
9. In Paragraph 8, The above chiller operates in a cooling mode in which the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and In the above cooling mode, The refrigerant in the above receiving section is a chiller that joins the refrigerant pipe through the first receiver passage.
10. In Paragraph 8, The above chiller operates in a heating mode in which the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and In the above heating mode, A portion of the refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger flows into the receiving portion through the heat exchange pipe, and A portion of the refrigerant introduced into the above receiving portion is joined to the refrigerant pipe through the above check valve in the chiller.