Abstract:
Provided is an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system having high operational efficiency. An internal heat exchanger ( 15 ) has: a primary heat transfer pipe ( 15   a ) for forming a part of the annular circuit of a refrigerant circuit ( 10 ) for air conditioning; and a secondary heat transfer pipe ( 15   b ) connected to piping (P) branched from the annular circuit through a pressure reduction device ( 16 ). The pressure reduction device ( 16 ) reduces the pressure of a first refrigerant flowing therein from the piping (P) depending on an operation mode and causes the first refrigerant, the pressure of which has been reduced, to flow toward the secondary heat transfer pipe ( 15   b ), thereby cooling the first refrigerant flowing through the primary heat transfer pipe ( 15   a ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system which performs air conditioning and supplies hot water. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system which performs air conditioning and supplies hot water. Specifically, Patent Literature 1 discloses a complex system for air conditioning and hot-water supply, in which an indoor unit and a circuit for a hot-water heat source are connected in parallel, and the indoor unit and the heat source are connected through a branch unit and at least two connection pipes. 
         [0003]    According to the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the primary side (the side of the heat exchanger for air conditioning) of a refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger (intermediate heat exchanger) is used as a condenser, and the secondary side (the hot-water heat exchanger side) is used as an evaporator in such a manner that exhaust heat in a heat source for air conditioning and a hot-water heat source is mutually utilized. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2010-236817 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0005]    However, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the indoor unit and the refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger (the intermediate heat exchanger) are connected in parallel. Therefore, even when the hot-water supply cycle is not in operation, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger comes into thermal contact with external air. Consequently, in some cases, a load in excess of the air-conditioning load (the thermal load accompanied by air conditioning operation) is imposed on the complex system for air conditioning and hot-water supply. 
         [0006]    For example, in the case where a heating operation is performed in the air-conditioning cycle and the hot-water supply cycle is not in operation (i.e., no hot-water supply load exists), the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger becomes as high as the temperature of the indoor unit. This is because the refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger is connected in parallel with the indoor unit. 
         [0007]    On the other hand, the hot-water supply unit is normally placed in a non-air conditioned indoor or outdoor space. Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger as a constituent element of the hot-water supply cycle is near the outdoor temperature, which is the ambient temperature of the hot-water supply unit. 
         [0008]    As a result, when a heating operation is performed, heat is dissipated, in the above refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger, from the high-temperature refrigerant to the low-temperature outdoor air. 
         [0009]    Consequently, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, heat dissipation from the refrigerant to the outdoor air occurs in the refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger, in addition to the occurrence of the load necessary for the air conditioning operation. Since the dissipated heat is utilized for neither of comfort improvement in the indoor space and hot-water supply, the total system efficiency deteriorates. 
         [0010]    In view of above, the object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system realizing high energetic efficiency. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0011]    In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, an inside heat exchanger includes a primary-side heat transfer pipe constituting a portion of a loop circuit provided in a refrigerant circuit for air conditioning, and a secondary-side heat transfer pipe connected to a pipe arrangement which branches off from the loop circuit through a decompression device; and the decompression device cools a first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe, according to an operation mode, by causing pressure reduction of the first refrigerant flowing in from the pipe arrangement and delivering the first refrigerant having reduced pressure toward the secondary-side heat transfer pipe. 
       Effect of Invention 
       [0012]    According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system realizing high energetic efficiency. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a system diagram of an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system according to a first embodiment of the present embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a system diagram indicating flows of refrigerants and a heated fluid in a hot-water-supply operation mode. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a system diagram indicating flows of a refrigerant in a cooling operation (normal) mode. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a system diagram indicating flows of the refrigerants and the heated fluid in a cooling operation (exhaust heat) mode. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a graph of a pressure-specific enthalpy relationship, which indicates the condition of the refrigerant during a cooling operation. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a system diagram indicating flows of the refrigerant in a heating operation (normal) mode. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a graph of a pressure-specific enthalpy relationship, which indicates the condition of the refrigerant in the heating operation (normal) mode. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a system diagram indicating flows of the refrigerants and the heated fluid in a heating operation (exhaust heat) mode. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a graph of a pressure-specific enthalpy relationship, which indicates the condition of the refrigerant in the heating operation (exhaust heat) mode. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a system diagram indicating flows of refrigerants and a heated fluid in a hot-water-supply operation mode in an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a graph of a pressure-specific enthalpy relationship, which indicates the condition of a refrigerant during a heating operation in an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system according to a conventional technique. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Hereinbelow, embodiments of the present invention are explained with reference to drawings when necessary. In the drawings, identical or equivalent elements bear identical reference numbers, and the same explanations are not repeated. 
       Air-Conditioning/Hot-Water Supply System 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a system diagram of an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system according to the first embodiment of the present embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S includes an outdoor unit  1 , indoor units  2   a  and  2   b , a hot-water supply unit  3 , a hot-water storage tank  4 , and a control device  50 . 
         [0026]    The indoor units  2   a  and  2   b  are placed indoors (in an air-conditioned space), and the outdoor unit  1 , the hot-water supply unit  3 , and the hot-water storage tank  4  are placed outdoors (outside the air-conditioned space). In the example of  FIG. 1 , the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S is provided with the two indoor units. 
         [0027]    In addition, the indoor units  2   a  and  2   b  and the outdoor unit  1  each have a control unit (not shown), and are arranged to be able to communicate with each other through communication lines (not shown). In  FIG. 1 , each control unit is schematically illustrated as the control device  50 . 
         [0028]    The air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S has the functions of performing a “cooling operation”, a “heating operation”, a “hot-water supply operation”, a “cooling and hot-water supply operation”, and a “heating and hot-water supply operation”. The “cooling operation” cools the indoor space in which the indoor units  2   a  and  2   b  are placed. The “heating operation” warms the indoor space in which the indoor units  2   a  and  2   b  are placed. The hot-water supply operation” heats a fluid (e.g., water) to be heated, and supplies the heated fluid having high temperature to a tank  42 . The “cooling and hot-water supply operation” includes the cooling operation and the hot-water supply operation. The “heating and hot-water supply operation” includes the heating operation and the hot-water supply operation. 
         [0029]    In addition, the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S is provided with an air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 , a hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30 , and a hot-water supply circuit  40 . A first refrigerant circulates through the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 , a second refrigerant circulates through the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30 , and the heated fluid flows through the hot-water supply circuit  40 . 
       &lt;Air-Conditioning Refrigerant Circuit&gt; 
       [0030]    Hereinafter, the indoor units  2   a  and  2   b , which are connected in parallel with the outdoor unit  1 , may be collectively referred to as “the indoor units  2 ”. 
         [0031]    The air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  includes a loop circuit in which a compressor  11  for air conditioning, a four-way valve  12 , an outdoor heat exchanger  13 , an outdoor expansion valve  14 , a primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in an intermediate heat exchanger  21 , a primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in an inside heat exchanger  15 , and the indoor units  2  are connected in order. In addition, an accumulator  19 , which performs vapor-liquid separation of the first refrigerant for prevention of liquid compression in the compressor  11  for air conditioning, is arranged on the intake side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning. Further, an expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger is arranged to reduce the pressure of the first refrigerant before the first refrigerant flows into the secondary side of the inside heat exchanger  15 . 
         [0032]    The compressor  11  for air conditioning is a compressor which compresses the first refrigerant so as to make the temperature and the pressure of the first refrigerant high. For example, the rotary type, scroll type, or reciprocating type compressor may be used as the compressor  11  for air conditioning. 
         [0033]    The four-way valve  12  switches the directions of the first refrigerant flowing through indoor heat exchangers  18   a  and  18   b  according to whether to perform cooling operation or heating operation. Specifically, the four-way valve  12  is switched such that the first refrigerant which is expanded by air-conditioning expansion valves  17   a  and  17   b  and has low temperature and low pressure flows into the indoor heat exchangers  18   a  and  18   b  during cooling operation, and the first refrigerant which is compressed by the compressor  11  for air conditioning and has high temperature and high pressure flows into the indoor heat exchangers  18   a  and  18   b  during heating operation. 
         [0034]    The outdoor heat exchanger  13  (i.e., the air-conditioning heat-source side heat exchanger) is a heat exchanger which is connected to the discharge side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning through the four-way valve  12 , and exchanges heat between the first refrigerant and the air (the outdoor air) sent from an outdoor fan  13   f.    
         [0035]    The outdoor expansion valve  14  (corresponding to the first expansion valve) is interposed between the outdoor heat exchanger  13  and the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , and functions as a decompression device which reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant in the hot-water-supply operation mode and the heating operation mode. 
         [0036]    The intermediate heat exchanger  21  is a heat exchanger which exchanges heat between the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  and the second refrigerant flowing through a secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b.    
         [0037]    The inside heat exchanger  15  is a heat exchanger which exchanges heat between the first refrigerant flowing through the primary side (the side connected to the indoor expansion valves  17   a  and  17   b ) and the first refrigerant flowing through the secondary side (the side connected to the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger). 
         [0038]    Specifically, the inside heat exchanger  15  includes the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  and a secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b . The primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  constitutes a portion of the aforementioned loop circuit, and the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  is connected, through the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger, to a pipe arrangement P which branches off from the loop circuit. 
         [0039]    Further, one end of the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15  is connected to the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger, and the other end of the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  is connected to a pipe arrangement connecting the four-way valve  12  and the accumulator  19 . 
         [0040]    The expansion valve  16  (corresponding to the decompression device) for the inside heat exchanger reduces the pressure of the first refrigerant flowing in from the pipe arrangement P according to the operation mode, and delivers the first refrigerant having the reduced pressure to the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15 . Thus, the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  is cooled. 
         [0041]    The indoor expansion valves  17   a  and  17   b  (corresponding to the second expansion valve) function as decompression devices which are interposed between the inside heat exchanger  15  and the indoor heat exchangers  18   a  and  18   b , and reduce the pressure of the first refrigerant in the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode. 
         [0042]    The indoor heat exchangers  18   a  and  18   b  (corresponding to the air-conditioned side heat exchanger) are heat exchangers which are connected through the four-way valve  12  to the discharge side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning, and exchange heat between the first refrigerant and the air (the indoor air) sent from indoor fans  18   f.    
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the indoor expansion valve  17   a  and the indoor heat exchanger  18   a  constituting the indoor unit  2   a  are connected in series, and the indoor expansion valve  17   b  and the indoor heat exchanger  18   b  constituting the indoor unit  2   b  are connected in series. In addition, the indoor units  2   a  and  2   b  are connected in parallel. Hereinafter, the indoor expansion valves  17   a  and  17   b  may be collectively referred to as the indoor expansion valves  17 , and the indoor heat exchangers  18   a  and  18   b  may be collectively referred to as the indoor heat exchangers  18 . 
         [0044]    For example, HFC, HFO-1234yf, HFO-1234ze, a natural refrigerant (e.g., CO 2  refrigerant), and other refrigerants can be used as the first refrigerant. 
       &lt;Hot-Water Supply Refrigerant Circuit&gt; 
       [0045]    In the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  arranged in the hot-water supply unit  3 , a compressor  31  for hot-water supply, a primary-side heat transfer pipe  32   a  in a heat exchanger  32  for hot-water supply, an expansion valve  33  for hot-water supply, and the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  are connected with a pipe arrangement to form a loop. 
         [0046]    The compressor  31  for hot-water supply is a compressor which compresses the second refrigerant to make the temperature and the pressure of the second refrigerant high. 
         [0047]    The heat exchanger  32  for hot-water supply is a heat exchanger which exchanges heat between the second refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  32   a  and the heated fluid flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  32   b.    
         [0048]    The expansion valve  33  for hot-water supply functions as a decompression device which reduces the pressure of the second refrigerant. 
         [0049]    For example, HFC, HFO-1234yf, HFO-1234ze, a natural refrigerant (e.g., CO 2  refrigerant), and other refrigerants can be used as the second refrigerant. In addition, it is preferable to use as the second refrigerant a refrigerant having a critical point (in the temperature-pressure relationship) higher than the critical point of the first refrigerant. 
       &lt;Hot-Water Supply Circuit&gt; 
       [0050]    The hot-water supply circuit  40  is constituted by connecting, with a pipe arrangement, a pump  41  for hot-water supply, a secondary-side heat transfer pipe  32   b  in the heat exchanger  32  for hot-water supply, and the tank  42  so as to form a loop. 
         [0051]    The pump  41  for hot-water supply pumps up the heated fluid from the tank  42 , and transfers the heated fluid to the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  32   b  in the heat exchanger  32  for hot-water supply. 
         [0052]    The tank  42  reserves the heated fluid, and is covered with a heat insulating material (not shown). As mentioned before the heated fluid may be, for example, water. 
         [0053]    The hot-water storage tank  4  is provided with a splicing fitting  43  for water feed, a splicing fitting  45  for hot-water supply, and three-way valves  44  and  46 . 
         [0054]    One end of the splicing fitting  43  for water feed is connected to the three-way valve  44 , and the other end of the splicing fitting  43  for water feed is connected to a water-supply terminal (not shown). The splicing fitting  43  for water feed is arranged such that the pressure from the water supply source causes the fluid (water) to be heated to flow into a lower portion of the tank  42  through the splicing fitting  43  for water feed when a user manipulates a hot-water supply terminal to be opened. 
         [0055]    The three-way valves  44  and  46  are configured to allow adjustment of the proportions of the flow rate of the heated fluid through the three-way valves  44  and  46 , and connected to each other through the pipe arrangement  47   a . The three-way valves  44  and  46  are configured such that the high-temperature heated fluid supplied from the tank  42  is adjusted at an appropriate temperature by causing the fluid to be heated (water) to flow in through the pipe arrangement  47   a  at a flow rate corresponding to the apertures of the three-way valves  44  and  46 . 
         [0056]    One end of the splicing fitting  45  for hot-water supply is connected to the three-way valve  46 , and the other end of the splicing fitting  45  for hot-water supply is connected to the hot-water supply terminal (not shown). The splicing fitting  45  for hot-water supply is configured such that the heated fluid (hot water) is supplied to the hot-water supply terminal through the splicing fitting  45  for hot-water supply when the user manipulates the hot-water supply terminal to be opened. 
       &lt;Control Device  50 &gt; 
       [0057]    The air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S is provided with the control device  50 . The control device  50  has the functions of determining the operation mode of the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system, and controlling various types of operations of the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S by controlling, on the basis of the determined operation mode, the states (apertures) of the respective valves (the four-way valve  12 , the outdoor expansion valve  14 , the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger, the indoor expansion valves  17 , and the expansion valve  33  for hot-water supply), the rotational speeds of the compressors (the compressor  11  for air conditioning and the compressor  31  for hot-water supply), the rotational speeds of the fans in the respective heat exchangers (the outdoor fan  13   f  and the indoor fans  18   f ), and the rotational speed of the pump  41  for hot-water supply. 
       (Control in Each Operational Mode) 
       [0058]    The respective operation modes of the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S are explained below. 
         [0059]    In the respective system diagrams which are hereinafter referred to, the pipe arrangement through which each of the first refrigerant, the second refrigerant, and the heated fluid flows is illustrated by bold lines, and the directions of the flows are indicated by arrows. In addition, each of the valves (the outdoor expansion valve  14 , the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger, the indoor expansion valves  17 , and the expansion valve  33  for hot-water supply) which is closed is illustrated by a filled symbol. 
       (1. Hot-Water-Supply Operation Mode) 
       [0060]      FIG. 2  is a system diagram indicating flows of refrigerants and the heated fluid in the hot-water-supply operation mode. In this mode, the indoor fans  18   f  are stopped. 
         [0061]    The control device  50  controls a switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  so as to position the switch means for the hot-water supply operation. In addition, the control device  50  controls the switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  such that the discharge side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning and the indoor heat exchangers  18  are connected and the accumulator  19  and the outdoor heat exchanger  13  are connected. In addition, the control device  50  completely closes the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger, fully opens the indoor expansion valves  17 , and controls the aperture of the outdoor expansion valve  14 . Further, the control device  50  controls the rotational speeds of the compressor  11  for air conditioning, the compressor  31  for hot-water supply, and the outdoor fan  13   f.    
         [0062]    The air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  in the hot-water-supply operation mode is explained below. 
         [0063]    The first refrigerant which is delivered from the compressor  11  for air conditioning and has high temperature and high pressure passes through the four-way valve  12 , the indoor heat exchangers  18 , the indoor expansion valves  17 , and the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15 , and flows into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , which functions as a condenser. In the hot-water-supply operation mode, the indoor fans  18   f  are stopped. Therefore, almost no heat exchange occurs between the indoor air and the first refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers  18 . 
         [0064]    Heat in the first refrigerant which flows through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  and has high temperature and high pressure is dissipated by heat exchange with the second refrigerant which flows through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , so that the above first refrigerant comes to have medium temperature and high pressure. 
         [0065]    The first refrigerant which flows out of the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  and has medium temperature and high pressure comes to have low temperature and low pressure by pressure reduction in the outdoor expansion valve  14 , and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger  13 , which functions as an evaporator. The first refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger  13  exchanges heat with the air (outdoor air) sent by the outdoor fan  13   f , so that the first refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger  13  takes (absorbs) heat from the outdoor air. Then, the first refrigerant having the absorbed heat flows from the outdoor heat exchanger  13  through the four-way valve  12  and the accumulator  19  back to the compressor  11  for air conditioning. 
         [0066]    Next, the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  is explained below. 
         [0067]    The second refrigerant which is delivered from the compressor  31  for hot-water supply and has high temperature and high pressure flows into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  32   a  in the heat exchanger  32  for hot-water supply, which functions as a condenser. Heat in the second refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  32   a  in the heat exchanger  32  for hot-water supply is dissipated by heat exchange with the heated fluid flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  32   b , so that the above second refrigerant comes to have medium temperature and high pressure. 
         [0068]    Then, the second refrigerant which flows out of the primary-side heat transfer pipe  32   a  in the heat exchanger  32  for hot-water supply and has medium temperature and high pressure comes to have low temperature and low pressure by pressure reduction in the expansion valve  33  for hot-water supply. 
         [0069]    Subsequently, the second refrigerant having low temperature and low pressure flows into the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , which functions as an evaporator. The second refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  takes (absorbs) heat from the first refrigerant having high temperature and high pressure and flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a , by heat exchange with the first refrigerant. Further, the second refrigerant having the absorbed heat returns from the intermediate heat exchanger  21  to the compressor  31  for hot-water supply. 
         [0070]    Next, the hot-water supply circuit  40  is explained below. The control device  50  controls the rotational speed of the pump  41  for hot-water supply. When the pump  41  is driven, the heated fluid which flows out of the lower portion of the tank  42  flows into the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  32   b  in the heat exchanger  32  for hot-water supply. The heated fluid flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  32   b  absorbs heat by heat exchange with the second refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  32   a , so that the above heated fluid comes to have high temperature. Then, the heated fluid having the high temperature which flows out of the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  32   b  in the heat exchanger  32  is transferred by the pump  41  for hot-water supply to an upper portion of the tank  42 , and reserved in the tank  42 . 
       (2. Cooling Operation (Normal) Mode) 
       [0071]      FIG. 3  is a system diagram indicating flows of a refrigerant in the cooling operation (normal) mode. In the cooling operation (normal) mode, the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  and the hot-water supply circuit  40  are stopped. 
         [0072]    The control device  50  controls the switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  so as to position the switch means for the cooling operation. In addition, the control device  50  controls the switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  such that the discharge side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning and the outdoor heat exchanger  13  are connected and the accumulator  19  and the indoor heat exchangers  18  are connected. 
         [0073]    In addition, the control device  50  fully opens the outdoor expansion valve  14 , and controls the aperture of the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger such that the first refrigerant flows through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15  at an appropriate flow rate. Further, the control device  50  controls the apertures of the indoor expansion valves  17  such that the first refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchangers  18  at a flow rate corresponding to the air-conditioning load occurring in the indoor space (the air-conditioned space). 
         [0074]    Furthermore, the control device  50  controls the rotational speeds of the compressor  11  for air conditioning, the indoor fans  18   f , and the outdoor fan  13   f.    
         [0075]    Hereinbelow, the condition of the first refrigerant flowing through the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  is explained with reference to the graph of the pressure-specific enthalpy relationship indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0076]    In the graph of  FIG. 5 , the ordinate corresponds to the absolute pressure (kPa), and the abscissa corresponds to the specific enthalpy (kJ/kg). In addition, the first refrigerant is in a gas-liquid two-phase state in the region surrounded by the saturation liquid line and the saturation gas line, in a liquid state on the left side of the saturation liquid line, and in a gas state on the right side of the saturation gas line. This is similar in the other pressure-specific enthalpy relationships. 
         [0077]    In the following explanations, the references A to F of the states indicated in  FIG. 5  are indicated in parentheses. In addition, the enthalpy given by the compressor  11  for air conditioning is indicated by the reference W. 
         [0078]    The first refrigerant being delivered from the outdoor heat exchanger  13  and having high temperature and high pressure (as indicated by A) flows through the four-way valve  12  into the outdoor heat exchanger  13 , which functions as a condenser (as indicated by B). Then, the first refrigerant having high temperature and high pressure flows through the outdoor heat exchanger  13 , and exchanges heat with the air (outdoor air) sent by the outdoor fan  13   f , so that heat in the first refrigerant is dissipated (exhausted) to the air, and the above first refrigerant comes to have medium temperature and high pressure (as indicated by C1). 
         [0079]    The first refrigerant which flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger  13  and has medium temperature and high pressure passes through the outdoor expansion valve  14 , and flows into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 . Since the ambient temperature of the intermediate heat exchanger  21  is near the outdoor temperature, the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  exchanges heat with the outdoor air, so that heat in the first refrigerant is dissipated, i.e., the first refrigerant is cooled (as indicated by C2). 
         [0080]    Then, the first refrigerant which flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger  21  is branched at the branch point Q into the pipe arrangements P1 and P2. At this time, the aperture of the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger is controlled such that the flow rate of the first refrigerant branched into the pipe arrangement P2 is 3 to 5% of the flow rate of the first refrigerant flowing into the branch point Q. 
         [0081]    Then, the first refrigerant which flows from the pipe arrangement P2 into the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger comes to have low temperature and low pressure by pressure reduction in the expansion valve  16 , and flows into the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15 . The first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15  absorbs heat (as indicated by E) by heat exchange with the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  and having medium temperature and high pressure, and then flows into a pipe arrangement L. The first refrigerant which flows into the pipe arrangement L merges with the first refrigerant flowing in from the indoor heat exchangers  18 , and returns to the compressor  11  for air conditioning through the accumulator  19 . 
         [0082]    On the other hand, the first refrigerant having medium temperature and high pressure and flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  is further cooled (as indicated by C3) by heat exchange with the first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  and having low temperature and low pressure. Therefore, the enthalpy of the first refrigerant which flows out of the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  can be reduced, so that the heat usable for cooling can be increased. Since the flow rate of the refrigerant through evaporators can be reduced and the pressure loss in the indoor heat exchangers  18 , which function as the evaporators, can be reduced, the first refrigerant can be efficiently circulated in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 . 
         [0083]    Further, the first refrigerant which flows out of the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  comes to have low temperature and low pressure (as indicated by D) by pressure reduction in the indoor expansion valves  17 , and flows into the indoor heat exchangers  18 . 
         [0084]    The first refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers  18  absorbs heat (as indicated by F) by heat exchange with the air (indoor air) sent from the indoor fans  18   f , and then returns to the compressor  11  for air conditioning through the four-way valve  12  and the accumulator  19  (as indicated by G). 
         [0000]    (3. Cooling Operation (Exhaust heat) Mode) 
         [0085]      FIG. 4  is a system diagram indicating flows of the refrigerants and the heated fluid in the cooling operation (exhaust heat) mode. 
         [0086]    The control device  50  controls a switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  so as to position the switch means for the cooling operation. In addition, the control device  50  fully opens the outdoor expansion valve  14 , and controls the aperture of the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger such that the first refrigerant flows through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15  at an appropriate flow rate. In addition, the control device  50  controls the aperture of the indoor expansion valve such that the first refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchangers  18  at a flow rate corresponding to the air-conditioning load occurring in the indoor space (the air-conditioned space). Further, the control device  50  controls the rotational speeds of the compressor  11  for air conditioning, the indoor fans  18   f , and the outdoor fan  13   f.    
         [0087]    Furthermore, the control device  50  controls the aperture of the rotational speed of the compressor  31  for hot-water supply and the aperture of the expansion valve  33  for hot-water supply such that the refrigerant flows at a flow rate appropriate for the hot-water supply load. In addition, the control device  50  controls the rotational speed of the pump  41  for hot-water supply such that the heated fluid (water) flows through the hot-water supply circuit  40  at an appropriate circulation rate. 
         [0088]    Hereinbelow, the operations of the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  are explained with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Since the operations of the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  and the hot-water supply circuit  40  in the cooling operation (exhaust heat) mode are similar to the aforementioned operations in the hot-water supply operation mode explained before, explanations on the operations of the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  and the hot-water supply circuit  40  in the cooling operation (exhaust heat) mode are not presented. 
         [0089]    The first refrigerant which is delivered from the compressor  11  for air conditioning and has high temperature and high pressure (as indicated by A) flows through the four-way valve  12  into the outdoor heat exchanger  13  (as indicated by B), where the outdoor heat exchanger  13  functions as a condenser. The first refrigerant having high temperature and high pressure and flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger  13  exchanges heat with the air (outdoor air) sent by the outdoor fan  13   f , so that heat in the first refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger  13  is dissipated (exhausted) to the air, and the above first refrigerant comes to have medium temperature and high pressure (as indicated by C1). 
         [0090]    The first refrigerant which flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger  13  and has medium temperature and high pressure flows through the outdoor expansion valve  14  into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 . Since the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  functions as an evaporator, heat in the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  is dissipated to the second refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b , i.e., the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  is cooled (as indicated by C2). Therefore, the temperature of the first refrigerant which flows out of the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  can be lowered to a sufficiently low temperature. 
         [0091]    Then, the first refrigerant which flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger  21  is branched at the branch point Q into the pipe arrangements P1 and P2. 
         [0092]    Then, the first refrigerant which flows from the pipe arrangement P2 into the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger comes to have low temperature and low pressure by pressure reduction in the expansion valve  16 , and then flows into the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15 . The first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15  absorbs heat (as indicated by E) by heat exchange with the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  and having medium temperature and high pressure, and then flows into the pipe arrangement L. The first refrigerant which flows into the pipe arrangement L merges with the first refrigerant flowing in from the indoor heat exchangers  18 , and then returns through the accumulator  19  to the compressor  11  for air conditioning. 
         [0093]    On the other hand, the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  is further cooled (as indicated by C3) by heat exchange with the first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  and having low temperature and low pressure. Then, the first refrigerant which flows out of the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  comes to have low temperature and low pressure (as indicated by D) by pressure reduction in the indoor expansion valves  17 , and then flows into the indoor heat exchangers  18 . 
         [0094]    The first refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers  18  absorbs heat (indicated by F) from the air (indoor air) sent from the indoor fans  18   f , by heat exchange with the air, and the first refrigerant having the absorbed heat returns through the four-way valve  12  and the accumulator  19  to the compressor  11  for air conditioning (as indicated by G). 
         [0095]    As described above, the first refrigerant circulating in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  is cooled by the outdoor heat exchanger  13 , and is further cooled by the intermediate heat exchanger  21  and the inside heat exchanger  15 . Therefore, the enthalpy difference which can be utilized in the indoor heat exchangers  18 , which function as evaporators, increases, so that the flow rate of the first refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers  18  can be reduced. Thus, the pressure loss occurring in the indoor heat exchangers  18  (functioning as the evaporators) is reduced, and therefore the efficiency in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  can be improved. 
         [0096]    Since, in the cooling operation (exhaust heat) mode, the low-temperature exhaust heat in the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  can be utilized by the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , the cooling rate in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  can be increased, compared with the cooling operation (normal) mode, which is explained before. Therefore, the efficiency in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  can be further improved. 
       (4. Heating Operation (Normal) Mode) 
       [0097]      FIG. 6  is a system diagram indicating flows of the refrigerant in the heating operation (normal) mode. In the heating operation (normal) mode, the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  and the hot-water supply circuit  40  are stopped. 
         [0098]    The control device  50  controls a switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  so as to position the switch means for the heating operation. In addition, the control device  50  controls the switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  such that the discharge side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning and the indoor heat exchangers  18  are connected and the intake side of the accumulator  19  and the outdoor heat exchanger  13  are connected. 
         [0099]    In addition, the control device  50  controls the apertures of the indoor expansion valves  17  and the outdoor expansion valve  14  such that the first refrigerant circulates in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  at a flow rate corresponding to the air-conditioning load occurring in the indoor space (the air-conditioned space). In addition, the control device  50  controls the aperture of the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger such that the first refrigerant flows through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15  at an appropriate flow rate. 
         [0100]    Further, the control device  50  controls the rotational speeds of the compressor  11  for air conditioning, the indoor fans  18   f , and the outdoor fan  13   f.    
         [0101]    Hereinbelow, the operation of the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  are explained with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0102]    The first refrigerant which is delivered from the compressor  11  for air conditioning and has high temperature and high pressure (as indicated by A) flows through the four-way valve  12  into the indoor heat exchangers  18  (as indicated by B), where the indoor heat exchangers  18  function as condensers. The first refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers  18  and having high temperature and high pressure exchanges heat with the air (indoor air) sent by the indoor fans  18   f , so that heat in the first refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers  18  is dissipated (exhausted) to the air and the above first refrigerant comes to have medium temperature and high pressure (as indicated by C1). 
         [0103]    The first refrigerant which flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger  13  and has medium temperature and high pressure passes through the indoor expansion valves  17  (as indicated by C2), and flows into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 . At this time, the apertures of the indoor expansion valves  17  are almost fully open, so that almost no pressure reduction occurs in the indoor expansion valves  17 . (See the transition from the state C1 to C2 indicated in  FIG. 7 .) Thus, it is possible to prevent transition of the first refrigerant flowing out of the indoor expansion valves  17  to a liquid-gas two-phase state, reduce the pressure loss occurring in the inside heat exchanger  15  and the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , and suppress the temperature fall caused by the pressure loss. 
         [0104]    After the first refrigerant passes through the indoor expansion valves  17 , the first refrigerant flows into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15 . The first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  is cooled (as indicated by C3) by heat exchange with the first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  and having low temperature and low pressure. Resultantly, the temperature of the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  can be lowered to approximately the ambient temperature (outdoor temperature), so that heat exchange with the outdoor air in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  can be suppressed. Thus, it is possible to prevent imposition, on the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 , of a load exceeding the air-conditioning load, and efficiently operate the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 . 
         [0105]    The first refrigerant which flows out of the inside heat exchanger  15  is branched at the branch point Q into the pipe arrangement P2 and the pipe arrangement P3. At this time, the aperture of the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger is controlled such that the flow rate of the first refrigerant branched into the pipe arrangement P2 is 3 to 5% of the flow rate of the first refrigerant flowing through the pipe arrangement P1. 
         [0106]    The first refrigerant which flows into the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger comes to have low temperature and low pressure by pressure reduction in the expansion valve  16 , and then flows into the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  in the inside heat exchanger  15 . The first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  absorbs heat to be heated (as indicated by E) by heat exchange with the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  and having medium temperature and high pressure, and then flows into the pipe arrangement L. 
         [0107]    As explained above, the heat dissipated from the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  is absorbed by the first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b , so that the above heat can be retrieved within the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 . 
         [0108]    In addition, the first refrigerant which flows into the pipe arrangement L merges with the first refrigerant which flows in from the outdoor heat exchanger  13 , and then returns through the accumulator  19  to the compressor  11  for air conditioning. 
         [0109]    On the other hand, the first refrigerant which flows out of the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  flows into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 . As mentioned before, the temperature of the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  can be lowered to approximately the ambient temperature (outdoor temperature), so that almost no heat exchange occurs in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 . 
         [0110]    Then, the first refrigerant which flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger  21  comes to have low temperature and low pressure (as indicated by D) by pressure reduction in the outdoor expansion valve  14 , and then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger  13 , which functions as an evaporator. The first refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger  13  absorbs heat (as indicated by F) from the air (outdoor air) sent by the outdoor fan  13   f , by heat exchange with the air, and then returns through the four-way valve  12  and the accumulator  19  to the compressor  11  for air conditioning (as indicated by G). 
         [0111]    In the above operations, it is possible to reduce heat dissipation, occurring in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , to the outdoor air from the first refrigerant circulating in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 , and prevent imposition of a load exceeding the air-conditioning load on the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 . Therefore, when heat is retrieved by the inside heat exchanger  15 , the amount of heat absorption required in the evaporator (the outdoor heat exchanger  13 ) can be reduced. Thus, the evaporation pressure Pe2 in the evaporator can be increased compared with the evaporation pressure Pe1 in the case where no heat is retrieved, so that the efficiency in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  can be improved. 
         [0000]    (5. Heating Operation (Exhaust heat) Mode) 
         [0112]      FIG. 8  is a system diagram indicating flows of the refrigerants and the heated fluid in the heating operation (exhaust heat) mode. 
         [0113]    The control device  50  controls a switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  so as to position the switch means for the heating operation. In addition, the control device  50  controls the apertures of the indoor expansion valves  17  and the outdoor expansion valve  14  such that the first refrigerant circulates in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  at a flow rate corresponding to the air-conditioning load occurring in the indoor space (the air-conditioned space). In addition, the control device  50  fully opens the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger. Thus, hot heat can be fed from the first refrigerant flowing through primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  to the second refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b , so that the hot heat can be used as a heat source in the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30 . 
         [0114]    Further, the control device  50  controls the rotational speeds of the compressor  11  for air conditioning, the indoor fans  18   f , and the outdoor fan  13   f.    
         [0115]    The control device  50  controls the rotational speed of the compressor  31  for hot-water supply and the apertures of the expansion valve  33  for hot-water supply such that the refrigerant flows at a flow rate appropriate for the hot-water supply load. In addition, the control device  50  controls the rotational speed of the pump  41  for hot-water supply such that the heated fluid (water) circulates in the hot-water supply circuit  40  at an appropriate flow rate. 
         [0116]    Hereinbelow, the operations of the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  are explained with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Since the operations of the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  and the hot-water supply circuit  40  in the heating operation (exhaust heat) mode are similar to the operations in the hot-water-supply operation mode explained before, explanations on the operations of the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  and the hot-water supply circuit  40  in the heating operation (exhaust heat) mode are not presented. 
         [0117]    The first refrigerant which is delivered from the compressor  11  for air conditioning and has high temperature and high pressure (as indicated by A) flows through the four-way valve  12  into the indoor heat exchangers  18  (as indicated by B), where the indoor heat exchangers  18  function as condensers. The first refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers  18  and having high temperature and high pressure exchanges heat with the air (indoor air) sent by the indoor fans  18   f , so that heat in the first refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchangers  18  is dissipated (exhausted) to the air, and the above first refrigerant comes to have medium temperature and high pressure (as indicated by C1). 
         [0118]    The first refrigerant which flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger  13  and has medium temperature and high pressure passes through the indoor expansion valves  17  and the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15 , and flows into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 . At this time, the indoor expansion valves  17  is almost fully open, so that almost no pressure reduction occurs in the indoor expansion valves. 
         [0119]    In addition, the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger is fully open, so that no heat exchange occurs with the first refrigerant in the inside heat exchanger  15 . 
         [0120]    The first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  and having medium temperature and high pressure exchanges heat with the second refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , so that heat in the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  is dissipated (as indicated by C2). Subsequently, the first refrigerant which flows out of the intermediate heat exchanger  21  comes to have low temperature and low pressure by pressure reduction in the outdoor expansion valve  14  (as indicated by D), and then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger  13 . 
         [0121]    The first refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger  13  absorbs heat (as indicated by E) from the air (outdoor air) sent by the outdoor fan  13   f , by heat exchange with the air, and returns through the four-way valve  12  and the accumulator  19  to the compressor  11  for air conditioning (as indicated by F). 
       &lt;Advantageous Effect&gt; 
       [0122]    In the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S according to the present embodiment, during the cooling operation, the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  is cooled by the first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b  and having low temperature and low pressure. Therefore, the pressure loss in the indoor heat exchangers  18 , which function as evaporators, can be reduced, and thus the total operational efficiency in the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S can be improved. 
         [0123]    In addition, in the heating operation (normal) mode, the first refrigerant is cooled in the inside heat exchanger  15  before the first refrigerant flows into the intermediate heat exchanger  21 . Therefore, the heat dissipation to the outdoor air in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  can be reduced, and imposition, on the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 , of a load exceeding the air-conditioning load can be prevented. In addition, since the heat dissipated from the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  is absorbed by the first refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  15   b , the heat dissipated from the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  can be retrieved within the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 . 
         [0124]    As explained above, it is possible to suppress the surplus load occurring in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  even when the refrigeration cycle on the hot-water supply side is not in operation, and improve the total efficiency in the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S during each of cooling operation and heating operation. 
         [0125]    Further, in the heating operation (exhaust heat) mode, heat exchange in the inside heat exchanger  15  is prevented by completely closing the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger, so that the first refrigerant having high temperature is caused to flow through the intermediate heat exchanger  21  and exchange heat with the second refrigerant. Therefore, the total efficiency in the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S can be improved. 
         [0126]      FIG. 11  is a graph of a pressure-specific enthalpy relationship, which indicates the condition of a refrigerant during a heating operation in an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system according to a conventional technique (for example, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1). 
         [0127]    As indicated in  FIG. 11 , a first refrigerant delivered from a compressor for air conditioning (in the state indicated by A) flows into an indoor heat exchanger (as indicated by B). Subsequently, the first refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger (as indicated by C1), and then flows into an intermediate heat exchanger. As mentioned before, since the intermediate heat exchanger is normally arranged in an outdoor unit, the intermediate heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the outdoor air. Therefore, heat in the first refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger is dissipated to the outdoors (as indicated by C2). Thus, the amount of heating which is required in the outdoor heat exchanger, which functions as an evaporator, increases by the amount of the heat dissipation in the transition from the state C1 to the state C2 indicated in  FIG. 11 . Resultantly, the evaporation pressure of the first refrigerant is lowered from Pe1 to Pe2, and the work load in the compressor for air conditioning is lowered from W1 to W2. Consequently, the total efficiency in the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system is lowered. 
         [0128]    In contrast, according to the present embodiment, as explained before, the total efficiency in the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S can be improved in each of the cooling operation and the heating operation. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0129]    The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a bypass pipe arrangement U and two-way valves  61 ,  62 , and  63  (the open-close means) are arranged, and is similar to the first embodiment in the other configuration. Therefore, only the differences are explained below, and explanations on the identical portions are not repeated. 
         [0130]      FIG. 10  is a system diagram indicating flows of refrigerants and a heated fluid in a hot-water-supply operation mode in an air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S 1  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0131]    The bypass pipe arrangement U illustrated in  FIG. 10  is a pipe arrangement which connects the pipe arrangement connecting the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  and the indoor expansion valves  17  and a pipe arrangement arranged on the discharge side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning. One end of the bypass pipe arrangement U is connected (at the point T) to a pipe arrangement connecting the discharge side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning and the two-way valve  61 , and the other end of the bypass pipe arrangement U is connected (at the point V) to a pipe arrangement connecting the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  and the two-way valve  63 . 
         [0132]    In the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10 , the two-way valve  61  is arranged between the discharge side of the compressor  11  for air conditioning and the four-way valve  12 , and the two-way valve  62  is arranged at a halfway position in the bypass pipe arrangement U. In addition, the two-way valve  63  is arranged between the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  and the indoor expansion valves  17 . 
         [0133]    That is, the two-way valves  61 ,  62 , and  63  realize the “open-close means” which causes the first refrigerant flowing out of the compressor  11  for air conditioning to flow into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  through the bypass pipe arrangement U in the hot-water-supply operation mode. 
         [0134]    The control device  50  controls the switch means (not shown) in the four-way valve  12  so as to position the switch means for the hot-water supply operation. In addition, the control device  50  completely closes the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger, fully opens the indoor expansion valves  17 , and controls the aperture of the outdoor expansion valve  14 . 
         [0135]    Further, the control device  50  closes the two-way valves  61  and  63 , and opens the two-way valve  62 . Thus, it is possible to prevent the first refrigerant being delivered from the compressor  11  for air conditioning and having high temperature and high pressure from flowing into the indoor heat exchangers  18 . 
         [0136]    Furthermore, the control device  50  controls the rotational speeds of the compressor  11  for air conditioning, the compressor  31  for hot-water supply, and the outdoor fan  13   f . The indoor fans  18   f  are stopped by the control device  50  in the hot-water-supply operation mode. 
         [0137]    The air-conditioning refrigerant circuit  10  in the hot-water-supply operation mode is explained below. Since the operations of the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  and the hot-water supply circuit  40  in the hot-water-supply operation mode are similar to the operations in the hot-water-supply operation mode which are explained before, explanations on the operations of the hot-water-supply refrigerant circuit  30  and the hot-water supply circuit  40  in the hot-water-supply operation mode according to the second embodiment are not presented. 
         [0138]    The first refrigerant being delivered from the compressor  11  for air conditioning and having high temperature and high pressure passes through the two-way valve and the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15 , and flows into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , which functions as a condenser. 
         [0139]    The first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  and having high temperature and high pressure exchanges heat with the heated fluid flowing through the secondary-side heat transfer pipe  21   b  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 , so that heat in the first refrigerant flowing through the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  is dissipated, and the above first refrigerant comes to have medium temperature and high pressure. 
         [0140]    The first refrigerant which flows out of the primary-side heat transfer pipe  21   a  in the intermediate heat exchanger  21  and has medium temperature and high pressure comes to have low temperature and low pressure by pressure reduction in the outdoor expansion valve  14 . 
         [0141]    Subsequently, the first refrigerant having low temperature and low pressure flows into the outdoor heat exchanger  13 , which functions as an evaporator. The first refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger  13  takes (absorbs) heat from the air (outdoor air) sent by the outdoor fan  13   f , by heat exchange with the air. Thereafter, the first refrigerant having the absorbed heat returns from the outdoor heat exchanger  13  through the four-way valve  12  and the accumulator  19  to the compressor  11  for air conditioning. 
         [0142]    Further, when the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system S 1  is operated in the other operation modes (including the cooling operation (normal) mode, the cooling operation (exhaust heat) mode, the heating operation (normal) mode, and the heating operation (exhaust heat) mode), the control device  50  fully opens the two-way valves  61  and  63 , and completely closes the two-way valve  62 . 
         [0143]    Since the control operations in the above modes in the second embodiment are similar to the operations in the first embodiment, explanations on the above cases are not presented. 
       &lt;Advantageous Effect&gt; 
       [0144]    When the bypass pipe arrangement U and the two-way valves  61 ,  62 , and  63  are arranged as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the first refrigerant does not flow into the indoor heat exchangers  18  during hot-water supply operation. Therefore, unnecessary heat exchange does not occur in the indoor heat exchangers  18 , so that the heat exchange between the second refrigerant and the high-temperature first refrigerant can be further efficiently performed in the intermediate heat exchanger  21 . 
       Variations 
       [0145]    Although the air-conditioning/hot-water supply system according to the present invention is explained by the respective embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and the like can be made. 
         [0146]    For example, although the outdoor unit  1 , the hot-water supply unit  3 , and the hot-water storage tank  4  in each of the embodiments are described as separate units, the present invention is not limited to such arrangements. For example, the above units may be integrated into a single heat pump unit. 
         [0147]    In addition, although the case in which the pressure of the first refrigerant is reduced by the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger (the decompression device) is explained in each of the embodiments, for example, a capillary tube or the like, instead of the expansion valve  16  for the inside heat exchanger, may be used. 
         [0148]    Further, although the case in which the two indoor units are arranged is explained in each of the embodiments, the number of indoor units may be one, or three or more. In the case where multiple indoor units are arranged, the multiple indoor units are connected in parallel. 
         [0149]    Furthermore, although, in the second embodiment, the two-way valves  61 ,  62 , and  63  are used as the “open-close means” for causing the first refrigerant flowing out of the compressor  11  for air conditioning to flow into the primary-side heat transfer pipe  15   a  in the inside heat exchanger  15  through the bypass pipe arrangement U, the present invention is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, one or more three-way valves, instead of the two-way valves, may be arranged for realizing the “open-close means”. 
       LIST OF REFERENCES 
       [0000]    
       
         S, S 1 : Air-conditioning/Hot-water Supply System 
           1 : Outdoor Unit 
           10 : Air-conditioning Refrigerant Circuit 
           11 : Compressor for Air Conditioning 
           12 : Four-way Valve 
           13 : Outdoor Heat Exchanger (Air-conditioning Heat-source Side Heat Exchanger) 
           14 : Outdoor Expansion Valve (First Expansion Valve) 
           15 : Inside Heat Exchanger 
           16 : Expansion Valve for Inside Heat Exchanger (Decompression device) 
           17   a ,  17   b : Indoor Expansion Valves (Second Expansion Valve) 
           18   a ,  18   b : Indoor Heat Exchangers (Air-conditioned Side Heat Exchanger) 
           19 : Accumulator 
           2   a ,  2   b : Indoor Units 
           21 : Intermediate Heat Exchanger 
           30 : Hot-water-supply Refrigerant Circuit 
           40 : Hot-water Supply Circuit 
           50 : Control Device 
           61 ,  62 ,  63 : Two-way Valves (Open-close Means) 
         U: Bypass Pipe Arrangement