Patent ID: 8001802
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
1. An air conditioner comprising: an indoor heat exchange unit to perform a heat exchange process by the supply and absorption of heat through the circulation of a first refrigerant; at least one outdoor heat exchange unit to perform a heat exchange process by the absorption and supply of heat through the circulation of a second refrigerant; an intermediate connection unit to perform a heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant; a first refrigerant pipe connected between the intermediate connection unit and the indoor unit; and a second refrigerant pipe connected between the intermediate connection unit and the at least one outdoor heat exchange unit, wherein the intermediate connection unit includes a case, at least one first compressor within the case to compress the first refrigerant, at least one second compressor within the case to compress the second refrigerant, and a hybrid device to perform heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant, wherein the at least one outdoor heat exchange unit is installed separately from the intermediate connection unit, and the at least one outdoor heat exchange unit is selectively connected to the intermediate connection unit, and wherein the at least one outdoor heat exchange unit includes at least two of an air-cooled heat exchanger, an engine exhaust heat exchanger, a water-cooled heat exchanger, a ground source heat exchanger, and an electric heat exchanger.