Patent Description:
An air conditioner is a device that cools or heats a room by using a heat pump cycle including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger.

The compressor needs to be run in order to circulate refrigerant in the heat pump cycle, and the air conditioner can be classified into EHP (electric heat pump) type and GHP (gas engine-driven heat pump) type depending the method of running the compressor.

In the GHP type, the compressor is run by using an engine fueled by gas. The GHP type is suitable for industrial use or large buildings because of its low fuel costs and potentially large heating and cooling capacity.

Korean Unexamined Patent Publication <CIT> discloses a GHP-type air conditioner. Notably, the air conditioner of this document discloses a structure in which the engine and the compressor are configured in a single unit, along with a plurality of components such as the outdoor heat exchanger and a heat radiator. The engine, which produces power using the explosive force of combustion of fuel gas, causes relatively high levels of vibration and noise and generates heat itself, which may affect the performance or durability of other components including the outdoor heat exchanger. Especially in the case of heat exchangers, in which a plurality of refrigerant tubes are interconnected, when the vibration coming from the engine is transmitted directly to them, the connecting portions of the refrigerant tubes may be damaged or gaps may be formed between them.

Moreover, a configuration that supplies fuel from engine to engine or emits burned gas takes up a large volume, and therefore may narrow the space occupied by compressor-related components or components through which water flows.

Another issue is that the outdoor unit of the GHP is usually installed on a rooftop of a building. The outdoor unit, with the engine placed inside, is quite hard to lift and transport because of its heavy weight. Also, the outdoor unit may have some limitations on installation because it puts an excessive load in a confined area.

Moreover, the outdoor unit of the GHP has a controller placed inside to control the engine and engine-related components. The other components, aside from the engine and its related components, may be run by a separate controller. The controller for controlling the engine and its related components is problematic in that the more the number of controllers, the higher the cost.

Another problem with the outdoor unit of the GHP is that the outdoor heat exchanger makes the components placed inside it less accessible, which may lead to low serviceability.

<CIT> discloses an engine-driven type heat pump apparatus. <CIT> discloses a heat pump device in which a refrigerant compressor is driven by an engine.

The present disclosure provides an air conditioner that minimizes vibration from an engine from being transmitted to heat pump components other than a compressor.

The present disclosure also provides an air conditioner that enhances the efficiency of a heat radiator and a plate-type heat exchanger where heat transfer using water occurs.

The present disclosure also provides an air conditioner that provides an efficient configuration of components included in an outdoor unit of the air conditioner. Particularly, the present disclosure provides an air conditioner in which components in a heat exchanger are configured to enhance access for serviceability.

The present disclosure also provides an air conditioner that can reduce costs by minimizing the number of controllers placed in the outdoor unit to control the components being run.

The present disclosure also provides an air conditioner that allows for easy inspection and repair by a mechanic by placing a control box and a connector near a panel, since the control box is a component of the outdoor unit that needs to be serviced the most and the connector connects a control box, refrigerant tubes, and water tubes. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides an air conditioner that can quickly cool down heat generated from the control box.

The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned ones, and other aspects, which are not mentioned above, will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

The second outdoor unit comprises: a plate-type heat exchanger that transfers heat between water and refrigerant; a first valve that sends the water discharged from the engine to the plate-type heat exchanger or the heat radiator; and a second valve that sends the water discharged from the engine to the first valve or the water pump, wherein the water pump can be placed between the plate-type heat exchanger and the heat radiator. The water pump may be placed between and/or adjacent to the heat radiator and the plate-type heat exchanger.

The second outdoor unit may comprise a second casing that forms the exterior that has an intake opening on the periphery and a discharge opening on the top, the second casing comprising: a front panel placed at the front of the second casing; a rear panel placed behind the front panel; and a pair of side panels connecting both edges of the front panel and rear panel. The second outdoor unit may further comprise a second control box containing a second controller for controlling at least one component of the air conditioner. The front panel may comprise: a first half panel disposed adjacent to the second control box; and a second half panel placed on one side of the first half panel, and disposed adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger.

The outdoor heat exchanger may comprise: a front heat exchanger placed inside the front panel; a first side heat exchanger that is bent at the front heat exchanger and extends rearward; a rear heat exchanger that is placed inside the rear panel and extends from the first side heat exchanger; and a second side heat exchanger that is bent at the rear heat exchanger and extends forward. The front heat exchanger may be placed behind the second half panel. Thus, the first half panel provides serviceability to the internal components inside the outdoor heat exchanger.

The water pump may be placed behind the second half panel and located closer to a reference line than the first side heat exchanger, thereby allowing the water pump to be placed in an easily serviceable position.

The water pump may be placed ahead of a virtual horizontal line that passes through centers of left and right sides of the second outdoor unit and thus divides the second outdoor unit in front and rear directions, thereby allowing the water pump to be placed in an easily serviceable position.

The first outdoor unit may further comprise a first control box containing a first controller for regulating the operation of the engine. The second outdoor unit may further comprise: a blower fan that forms a flow of air to the outdoor heat exchanger; and a second control box containing a second controller for regulating the operation of the blower fan or water pump. The first controller may control the engine-related components, and the second controller may control the other components.

The second outdoor unit may further comprise a switching valve that sends the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger or an indoor heat exchanger which transfers heat between the refrigerant and the air in a room. The second controller may control the switching valve.

The second outdoor unit may comprise: a second casing that forms the exterior that has an intake opening on a side thereof and a discharge opening on a top thereof; and an orifice that is placed on an upper end of the second casing and forms a discharge path of air caused to flow by means of the blower fan. The blower fan may be placed inside the orifice and causes the air present inside the second casing to move from the intake opening to the discharge opening. The second control box may be placed below the orifice, thereby forming a flow of air by the second control box.

The second casing may comprise a second service panel in an area where the outdoor heat exchanger is not placed. This area may comprise a second connector. A plurality of refrigerant tubes and a plurality of water tubes are connected to the second connector to connect the first outdoor unit and the second outdoor unit. The second control box may be placed inside the second service panel, thereby providing easy access to the second control box.

The second service panel may have an opening portion communicating with the first control box, and a first cover covering the opening portion, thereby providing easy access to the inside of the second control box.

The first casing may comprise: a first base covering the bottom; a first peripheral panel placed above the first base and covering the periphery; and a first upper panel placed over the first peripheral panel and forming an exhaust opening. The engine may be fixed to the first base, and the first control box may be located closer to the first upper panel than the engine, thereby allowing the first control box to be placed at a far distance from the engine.

The first peripheral panel may comprise a first service panel where a first connector is placed. A plurality of refrigerant tubes and a plurality of refrigerant tubes are connected to the first connector to connect the first outdoor unit and the second outdoor unit. A first cover my be placed on the first service panel to cover an opening portion communicating with the inside of the first control box placed within, thereby providing easy serviceability to the inside of the first control box.

Details of other exemplary embodiments are included in the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Advantages and features of the disclosure and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed descriptions of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the embodiments to one of ordinary skill in the art. Like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the specification.

Terms indicating directions such as front (F), rear (R), left (Le), right (Ri), up (U), and down (D) shown in <FIG> are for the convenience of explaining the air conditioner according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, these directions shall be interpreted based on the orientation of the object.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings which are provided to describe an air conditioner according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes a first outdoor unit <NUM> for running an engine <NUM> and a compressor <NUM> on a gas fuel, a second outdoor unit <NUM> for transferring heat between outside air and refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM> or transferring heat between outside air or refrigerant and water for cooling the engine <NUM>, water tubes <NUM> connecting the first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM>, through which water flows, and a first outer refrigerant tube (or first refrigerant tube) <NUM> connecting the first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM>, through which refrigerant flows.

The air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes at least one indoor unit (not shown) connected to the second outdoor unit <NUM> and a second outer refrigerant tube (or second refrigerant tube) <NUM> connecting the second outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit, through which refrigerant flows.

The first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM> are placed apart from each other. The first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM> are connected by the first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> and the water tubes <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to minimize the vibration caused by the running of the engine <NUM> and compressor <NUM> included in the first outdoor unit <NUM> from being transmitted to the second outdoor unit <NUM>.

The first outdoor unit <NUM> includes an engine <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) which runs by the combustion of a gas fuel, a compressor <NUM> (see <FIG>) connected to the engine <NUM> by a belt <NUM>, for compressing refrigerant, and a first casing <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) forming an internal space where the engine <NUM> and the compressor <NUM> are placed.

The first casing <NUM> may include a first base <NUM> (see <FIG>) covering the bottom, first frames <NUM> (see <FIG>) placed vertically upward from the first base <NUM> and forming a framework, a first peripheral panel <NUM> (see <FIG>) placed above the first base <NUM> and connected to the first frames <NUM> to cover the periphery, and a first upper panel <NUM> (see <FIG>) <NUM> placed over the first peripheral panel <NUM> and forming an exhaust opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first base <NUM> may be fixed to the ground and secure the components placed inside the first casing <NUM>. The first base <NUM> may include a first base panel <NUM>, a first base support <NUM> placed below the first base panel <NUM>, for placing the first base panel <NUM> some distance above the ground, and a first base frame <NUM> placed on top of the first base panel <NUM>, where some of the components are secured.

Referring to <FIG>, the first base <NUM> may include two first base frames <NUM> on top of the first base panel <NUM> that are placed apart from each other. The first base frames <NUM> have a roughly Π-shaped cross section, with two opposite edges being secured to the first base panel <NUM>. With the first base frames <NUM> whose two opposite edges are bent and secured to the first base panel <NUM>, it is possible to alleviate vibration generated from a damper <NUM> and transmitted to the first base panels <NUM>, which will be described later.

Referring to <FIG>, the first frames <NUM> may be placed on the corners of the first base panel <NUM>. The first peripheral panel <NUM> is connected to the first frames <NUM> spaced apart from one another and covers the periphery of the first outdoor unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first frames <NUM> may include a plurality of first corner frames 114a placed on the corners of the first base <NUM> and a first middle frame 114b placed between the first corner frames 114a.

The first peripheral panel <NUM> includes a first front panel 122a placed on one side, a first rear panel 122b spaced apart from the first front panel 122a and placed parallel to the first front panel 122a, and two first side panels 122c and 122d placed between the first front panel 122a and the first rear panel 122b. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first front panel 122a and the first rear panel 122b may be the same size, and the two first side panels 122c and 122d also may be the same size.

Referring to <FIG>, the first front panel 122a may be divided into a (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 122a1 and a (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 122a2 that are placed to the left and right of the first middle frame 114b.

The first peripheral panel <NUM> may include a first service panel <NUM> where a first connector <NUM> is placed, with a first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> and an outer water tube (or water tube) <NUM> being connected to the first connector <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 122a2 may be used as the first service panel <NUM>. The first service panel <NUM> is placed between the first middle frame 114b and the first corner frames 114a. A first control box <NUM> to be described later may be placed inside the first service panel <NUM>.

That is, the first service panel <NUM> may be removably placed, and this may increase accessibility to the first control box <NUM>. Also, the refrigerant tubes <NUM> and water tubes <NUM> connected to the first connector <NUM> placed on the first service panel <NUM> are made easily serviceable.

The first connector <NUM> where the first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> and the outer water tube <NUM> are connected is placed on the first service panel <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> is placed on a lower end of the first service panel <NUM>.

The first service panel <NUM> has an opening portion communicating with the inside of the first control box <NUM> placed within, and a first cover <NUM> covering the opening portion is placed on the first service panel <NUM>. The first cover <NUM> may be placed on an upper end of the first service panel <NUM> to open and close the opening portion communicating with the first control box <NUM>.

The first control box <NUM> is placed on an upper end of the first service panel <NUM>. That is, the first control box <NUM> is placed on an upper end of the first service panel <NUM> so as to be spaced apart from the engine <NUM>, thereby minimizing the heat generated from the engine <NUM> from being transmitted to the first control box <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 122a1 may have an opening portion communicating with the inside of a circuit box <NUM> placed within, and a third cover <NUM> covering the opening portion may be placed on the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 122a1. The third cover 125b may be placed on a lower end of the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 122a1 to open and close the opening portion communicating with the circuit box <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first upper panel <NUM> has an exhaust opening <NUM> with no fan, through which air heated by the engine <NUM> is exhausted. Also, a top cover <NUM> for keeping water from coming from the outside through the exhaust opening <NUM> may be placed on the first upper panel <NUM>. Moreover, the gas exhaust opening <NUM> for emitting exhaust gas exiting the engine <NUM> may be placed on the first upper panel <NUM>.

A first top grille <NUM> covering the top of the first upper panel <NUM> may be placed on top of the first upper panel <NUM>. The first top grille <NUM> has a lattice pattern or stripe pattern so as to prevent an external object from falling to the first upper panel <NUM>, without disturbing air flow.

The engine <NUM> is an internal combustion engine which works through the process of burning compressed gas. The engine <NUM> may rotate an engine side pulley <NUM> (see <FIG>) placed on one side of the engine <NUM> on a four-stroke cycle of intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust.

Referring to <FIG>, the first outdoor unit <NUM> includes an engine frame <NUM> located above the first base <NUM> where the engine <NUM> is fixed in place, and a damper <NUM> that connects the engine frame <NUM> and the first base <NUM> and alleviates vibration caused by the running of the engine <NUM>. The first outdoor unit <NUM> includes a plurality of dampers <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, four dampers <NUM> may be placed apart from one another.

Each of the dampers <NUM> may connect the engine frame <NUM> and the first base <NUM>. Lower ends of the dampers <NUM> may be attached to the first base frames <NUM>, and an upper end thereof may be attached to the engine frame <NUM>.

One side of the engine frame <NUM> may be attached to the engine <NUM>, and the other side may be connected to the damper <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to minimize the vibration caused by the running of the engine <NUM> from being transmitted throughout the first casing <NUM>.

The engine frame <NUM> may fix the compressor <NUM> in place which is connected to the engine <NUM> by the belt <NUM>. That is, the engine frame <NUM> may allow the engine <NUM> and the compressor <NUM> to be placed apart from the first base <NUM> by some distance.

By being connected to the engine <NUM>, the compressor <NUM> may compress refrigerant when the engine <NUM> operates. Two compressors <NUM> connected to the engine <NUM> may be placed on the first outdoor unit <NUM>. The compressors <NUM> may have a compressor side pulley <NUM> connected to the engine side pulley <NUM> by the belt <NUM>, and may compress refrigerant as the compressor side pulley <NUM> (see <FIG>) rotates by the running of the engine <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first outdoor unit <NUM> may include an air cleaner <NUM> that provides clean air by filtering the air supplied to the engine <NUM>, a zero governor <NUM> that allows for the supply of gas to the engine <NUM> at a given pressure, a mixer <NUM> that mixes the gas and air supplied through the air cleaner <NUM> and zero governor <NUM>, an exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM> that transfers heat between water and gas exiting the engine <NUM>, a muffler <NUM> that reduces the noise of the exhaust gas exiting the engine, and a drain filter <NUM> that purifies and releases condensate generated from the exhaust gas that has passed through the muffler <NUM>.

The zero governor <NUM> allows for the supply of fuel at a given pressure regardless of changes in the pressure or flow rate of fuel entering the zero governor <NUM>. The zero governor <NUM> may maintain a stable exit pressure across a wide range and adjust the pressure of gas fuel supplied to the engine so that it remains almost steady at atmospheric pressure.

The air cleaner <NUM> may block dust, misty moisture, and oil getting mixed into the air by filtering outside air supplied to the engine using a filter.

The mixer <NUM> lets out the supplied fuel and air at a given mixture ratio and supplies them to the engine.

The zero governor <NUM> may be fixed in place to one side of the first frames <NUM>. The air cleaner <NUM> is located adjacent to the zero governor <NUM>. The air cleaner <NUM> may be secured to the first upper panel <NUM> through a separate securing member <NUM>.

The muffler <NUM> may be fixed in place to one side of the first frames <NUM>. The muffler <NUM> may be placed above the drain filter <NUM> so that the condensate generated from the muffler <NUM> may enter the drain filter <NUM>. The drain filter <NUM> may be fixed in place to the first base <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the drain filter <NUM> may be fixed in place on top of the first base frames <NUM>. A gas exhaust opening <NUM> may be placed above the muffler <NUM>. Thus, the exhaust gas passed through the muffler <NUM> may escape through the gas exhaust opening <NUM>.

The first outdoor unit <NUM> includes an oil tank <NUM> storing oil and an oil pump <NUM> for supplying the oil stored in the oil tank <NUM> to the engine. The oil pump <NUM> may supply the oil stored in the oil tank <NUM> to the engine and preheat or cool the engine <NUM>.

The oil tank <NUM> may be fixed in place above the first base panel <NUM>. The oil tank <NUM> may be placed between the two first base frames <NUM> placed apart from each other.

The first outdoor unit <NUM> may include a first control box <NUM> incorporating a first controller (not shown) for regulating the operation of the engine <NUM> or compressor <NUM>, and a circuit box <NUM> with a transformer (not shown) placed in it to convert current signal and voltage signal.

The first control box <NUM> is placed apart from the engine <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the engine <NUM> is fixed in place to the first base <NUM>, and the first control box <NUM> is located adjacent to the first upper panel <NUM>. In an inner space formed by the first peripheral panel <NUM>, the first base <NUM>, and the first upper panel <NUM>, the first control box <NUM> is placed as far as possible from the engine <NUM>. This minimizes the heat generated from the engine <NUM> from being transmitted to the first control box <NUM>.

The first control box <NUM> is placed behind the first service panel <NUM>. The first control box <NUM> may be placed between the first middle frame 114b and the first corner frames 114a, and may be fixed in place to the first middle frame 114b and the first corner frames 114a.

The second outdoor unit <NUM> includes a second casing <NUM> (see <FIG>) forming the exterior that has a second intake opening 221a on the periphery and a discharge opening 226a on the top, a blower fan <NUM> (see <FIG>) that sends the air inside the second casing <NUM> to the discharge opening 226a, a fan motor M (see <FIG>) that rotates the blower fan <NUM>, an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> (see <FIG>) placed inside the second casing <NUM> where the second intake opening 221a is formed, a water pump <NUM> (see <FIG>) that supplies water to the engine <NUM> or the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM>, and a switching valve <NUM> (see <FIG>) placed inside the second casing <NUM> that sends the refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM> to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> or the indoor unit.

The second casing <NUM> may include a second base <NUM> (see <FIG>) covering the bottom, second frames <NUM> (see <FIG>) placed vertically upward from the second base <NUM> and forming a framework, a second peripheral panel <NUM> (see <FIG>) placed above the second base <NUM> and connected to the second frames <NUM> to cover the periphery, and a second upper panel <NUM> (see <FIG>) placed over the second peripheral panel <NUM> and forming an discharge opening 226a.

The second base <NUM> includes a second base panel <NUM> and a second base support <NUM> placed below the second base panel <NUM>, for placing the second base panel <NUM> some distance above the ground.

The second frames <NUM> may be placed on the corners of the second base panel <NUM>. The second peripheral panel <NUM> may be placed such that it is connected to the second frames <NUM> spaced apart from one another, so as to cover the periphery of the second outdoor unit <NUM>.

The second frames <NUM> may include a plurality of second corner frames 218a (see <FIG>) placed on the corners of the second base <NUM> and a second middle frame (not shown) placed between the second corner frames 218a.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second peripheral panel <NUM> includes a second front panel 220a placed on one side, a second rear panel 220b spaced apart from the second front panel 220a and placed parallel to the second front panel 220a, and two second side panels 220c and 220d placed between the second front panel 220a and the second rear panel 220b. The second front panel 220a and the second rear panel 220b may be the same size, and the two second side panels 220c and 220d also may be the same size.

Referring to <FIG>, the second front panel 220a may be divided into a (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 220a1 and a (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 220a2 that are placed to the left and right when viewed from the front.

The second peripheral panel <NUM> may include a second service panel <NUM> where a second connector 222a is placed, with a second outer refrigerant tube <NUM> and an outer water tube (or water tube) <NUM> being connected to the second connector 222a. Referring to <FIG>, the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 220a2 may be used as the second service panel <NUM>. The second service panel <NUM> is placed between the second middle frame 218b and the second corner frames 218a. A second control box <NUM> to be described later may be placed inside the second service panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the second connector 222a where the first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> and the outer water tube <NUM> are connected is placed on the second service panel <NUM>. The second connector 222a is placed on a lower end of the second service panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a third connector 222b where a second outer refrigerant tube <NUM> is connected may be placed on the second service panel <NUM>. The third connector 222b may be placed apart from the second connector 222a in one direction, and may be placed at the same height as the second connector 222a.

The second service panel <NUM> has an opening portion communicating with the inside of the second control box <NUM> placed within, and a second cover <NUM> covering the opening portion is placed on the second service panel <NUM>. The second cover <NUM> may be placed on an upper end of the second service panel <NUM> to open and close the opening portion communicating with the second control box <NUM>.

The second control box <NUM> is placed on an upper end of the second service panel <NUM>. That is, the second control box <NUM> is located adjacent to the blower fan <NUM> placed in an upper part of the second peripheral panel <NUM>, which allows for quick formation of a convection of air around the second control box <NUM> and therefore cools the second control box <NUM>.

At least one discharge opening 226a is formed on the second upper panel <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, two discharge openings 226a are formed on the second upper panel <NUM>. A blower fan <NUM> is placed under each of the discharge openings 226a. An orifice <NUM> where the blower fan <NUM> resides is placed under the second upper panel <NUM>.

A second top grille <NUM> covering the blower fan <NUM> and the second upper panel <NUM> may be placed on top of the second upper panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the second peripheral panel <NUM> may have a second intake opening 221a in a lower part by which the inside and outside of the second casing <NUM> communicate, and a cover portion 221a placed above the second intake opening that covers the outer sides of the blower fan <NUM> and orifice <NUM>. The second service panel <NUM> may be formed in its entirety as the cover portion <NUM> without having an intake opening.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second casing <NUM> may be made the same size as the first casing <NUM>. That is, the second base <NUM> included in the second casing <NUM> may be the same size as the first base <NUM> included in the first casing <NUM>. Also, the second peripheral panel <NUM> included in the second casing <NUM> may be the same size as the first peripheral panel <NUM> included in the first casing <NUM>. Hence, the first base <NUM> and the second base <NUM> may be produced in the same manufacturing process since they are the same size, and the first peripheral panel <NUM> and the second peripheral panel <NUM> also may be produced in the same manufacturing process since they are the same size. This will simplify the production process of the first casing <NUM> and second casing <NUM> and reduce the manufacturing costs.

The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is placed inside the second intake opening 221a formed on the second peripheral panel <NUM>. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> may be placed on at least two sides of the second peripheral panel <NUM> of the second casing <NUM>. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> may be placed side by side on all four sides of the second peripheral panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> includes a front heat exchanger 240a placed inside the second front panel 220a, a first side heat exchanger 240b extending from the front heat exchanger 240a and placed inside the second side panel 220c, a rear heat exchanger 240a extending from the first side heat exchanger 240b and placed inside the second rear panel 220b, and a second side heat exchanger 240d extending from the second rear heat exchanger 240c and placed inside the second side panel 220d.

The front heat exchanger 240a may be made half or less than the size of the rear heat exchanger 240c. The second side heat exchanger 240d may be made half or less than the size of the first side heat exchanger 240b.

The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is not placed inside the second service panel <NUM>. Thus, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is not placed inside the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 220a1 of the second front panel 220a. That is, the front heat exchanger 240a is placed inside the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 220a2.

The internal components placed inside the second outdoor unit <NUM> are placed mainly behind the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 220a1. Here, the internal components placed inside the second outdoor unit <NUM> refer to the components placed inside the second peripheral panel <NUM>, apart from the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> and the heat radiator <NUM>. That is, the internal components may include an accumulator <NUM>, a plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>, a water tank <NUM>, and a water pump <NUM>. Further, the internal components may include a switching valve <NUM> and water valves 252a and 252b.

Referring to <FIG>, the accumulator <NUM>, the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>, and the water tank <NUM> are placed in an area where the second service panel <NUM> resides, with respect to a virtual vertical line VC extending forward and backward from the second middle frame 218b. The virtual vertical line VC corresponds to a line passing through centers of front and rear sides of the second outdoor unit <NUM> and thus dividing the second outdoor unit <NUM> in left and right directions.

Moreover, an oil separator <NUM> and the water pump <NUM> are placed opposite the second service panel <NUM> with respect to the virtual vertical line VC or located closer to the virtual vertical line VC than the first side heat exchanger 240b.

The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> may be placed inside the second peripheral panel <NUM>, except the second service panel <NUM>. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> may have one edge on the inside of the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 220a2 of the second front panel 220a and the other edge on the inside of the second side panels 220c and 220d located adjacent to the (<NUM>-<NUM>)th half panel 220a1.

A blower fan <NUM> is placed above the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> to move air to the discharge opening 226a formed on the second upper panel <NUM>. An orifice <NUM> is placed above the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> to form a flow of air moving to the discharge opening 226a and create a space where the blower fan <NUM> resides.

The water pump <NUM> may send water to the engine <NUM> and the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM> to cool the engine <NUM> and the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM>. The water pump <NUM> may be fixed in place to the second base <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the water pump <NUM> may be placed in the first outdoor unit <NUM>. Even if the water pump <NUM> is placed in the first outdoor unit <NUM>, there are no additional water tubes or refrigerant tubes that are exposed on the outside of the first outdoor unit <NUM> and second outdoor unit <NUM>. Thus, the water pump <NUM> may be placed in the first outdoor unit <NUM>. However, in order to regulate the operations of the blower fan <NUM> and water pump <NUM> by a second controller, it is desirable that the water pump <NUM> is placed inside the second outdoor unit <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The switching valve <NUM> is placed inside the second casing <NUM> and sends the refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM> to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> or the indoor unit. The switching valve <NUM> may send the refrigerant supplied from the indoor unit or the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> to be described later to the compressor <NUM>. The switching valve <NUM> is connected to the oil separator <NUM> and the accumulator <NUM>. Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM> and passed through the oil separator <NUM> may enter the switching valve <NUM>. Also, the refrigerant may flow from the switching valve <NUM> to the compressor <NUM> via the accumulator <NUM>. The switching valve <NUM> may be a four-way valve that selectively connects refrigerant tubes that are connected in four directions.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second outdoor unit <NUM> includes an oil separator <NUM> that separates oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM>, an accumulator <NUM> that separates refrigerant supplied to the compressor <NUM> and supplies vapor refrigerant to the compressor <NUM>, a plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> that transfers heat between water and refrigerant, a heat radiator <NUM> that transfers heat between water and outside air, water valves 252a and 252b that adjust the direction of flow of water, and a water tank <NUM> storing water. The second outdoor unit <NUM> may further include an overcooling heat exchanger <NUM> that cools moving liquid refrigerant by expanding some of the moving liquid refrigerant and transferring heat, and an expansion valve <NUM> that expands the refrigerant released from the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

The oil separator <NUM> is placed between the switching valve <NUM> and the compressor <NUM>. The oil separator <NUM> separates oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM>. The oil separator <NUM> may be fixed in place to the second base panel <NUM>.

The accumulator <NUM> is placed between the switching valve <NUM> and the compressor <NUM>. The second base panel <NUM> separates the refrigerant entering the compressor <NUM> into vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant and sends the vapor refrigerant to the compressor <NUM>. The accumulator <NUM> may be fixed in place to the second base panel <NUM>. The accumulator <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape.

Referring to <FIG>, refrigerant flowing through the four-way valve <NUM> from the indoor heat exchanger (not shown) or refrigerant flowing through the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> may be supplied to the accumulator <NUM>. Also, the accumulator <NUM> may be connected to the overcooling heat exchanger <NUM> so that refrigerant generated by the overcooling heat exchanger <NUM> is supplied to it.

The plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> transfers heat between water caused to flow by means of the water pump <NUM> and refrigerant caused to flow by means of the compressor <NUM>. In heating mode in which the indoor heat exchanger (not shown) placed in the indoor unit is used as a condenser, the refrigerant passed through the indoor heat exchanger (not shown) may flow to the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>. Also, in heating mode, the water caused to flow by means of the cooling pump <NUM> may flow to and then be cooled in the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>.

The plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> transfers heat between refrigerant coming from the indoor heat exchanger (not shown) and water released from the engine <NUM>. The plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> may be connected to the first valve 252a and the water pump <NUM> and send the water coming via the first valve 252a to the water pump <NUM> through heat transfer. The plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> may supply the refrigerant coming from the indoor heat exchanger to the accumulator <NUM> through heat transfer.

The plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> may be fixed in place to the second base panel <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> may be placed between the accumulator <NUM> and the oil separator <NUM> when viewed from the top.

The heat radiator <NUM> may lower the temperature of water by transferring heat between the water and the air flowing to the second intake opening 221a. The heat radiator <NUM> is placed inside the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>. The area the heat radiator <NUM> occupies in the direction of the second intake opening 221a may be smaller than the area the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> occupies in the direction of the second intake opening 221a. Referring to <FIG>, the vertical length <NUM> of the heat radiator <NUM> may be shorter than the vertical length <NUM> of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

The heat radiator <NUM> includes a front heat radiator 250a placed inside the front heat exchanger 240a, a first side heat radiator 250b placed inside the first side heat exchanger 240b, a rear heat radiator 250c placed inside the rear heat exchanger 240c, and a second side heat radiator 250d placed inside the second side heat exchanger 240d.

Referring to <FIG>, the water valves 252a and 252b include a first valve 252a that sends the water released from the engine <NUM> to the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> or the heat radiator <NUM>, and a second valve 252b that sends the water released from the engine <NUM> to the first valve 252a or the water pump <NUM>. The first valve 252a and the second valve 252b may be three-way valves.

Referring to <FIG>, the second outdoor unit <NUM> includes a second control box <NUM> incorporating a second controller (not shown) for regulating the operations of the blower fan <NUM> and water pump <NUM>.

The second control box <NUM> is placed inside the second service panel <NUM>. The second controller for regulating the operations of the blower fan <NUM> and water pump <NUM> is placed inside the second control box <NUM>. That is, the operations of the blower fan <NUM> and water pump <NUM> may be regulated by a single electronic part. In a case where the water pump <NUM> is placed inside the first outdoor unit <NUM>, a separate electronic part for regulating the operation of the water pump <NUM> may be required. In the present disclosure, the operations of both of the blower fan <NUM> and water pump <NUM> may be regulated by the second controller placed inside the second control box <NUM>, thereby preventing an increase in the cost of additional parts. Also, the second controller may adjust the opening and closing of the switching valve <NUM> or water valves 252a and 252b.

That is, when the air conditioner is in cooling mode, the second controller may adjust the switching valve <NUM> to send the refrigerant released from the compressor <NUM> to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and, when the air conditioner is in heating mode, the second controller may adjust the switching valve <NUM> to send the refrigerant released from the compressor <NUM> to the indoor heat exchanger.

Moreover, when the air conditioner is in cooling mode, the second controller may adjust the water valves 252a and 252b to send the water released from the engine <NUM> to the heat radiator <NUM>, and, when the air conditioner is in heating mode, the second controller may adjust the water valves 252a and 252b to send the water released from the engine <NUM> to the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>.

The components placed inside the second outdoor unit <NUM> are located adjacent to an area not concealed by the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the front heat exchanger 240a is positioned to face the rear heat exchanger 240c. The lateral length 240aL of the front heat exchanger 240a may be equal to or shorter than half the lateral length 240cL of the rear heat exchanger 240c.

The first side heat exchanger 240b is positioned to face the second side heat exchanger 240d. The longitudinal length 240dL of the second side heat exchanger 240d may be equal to or shorter than half the longitudinal length 240bL of the first side heat exchanger 240b.

The lateral length 240cL of the rear heat exchanger 240c may range from <NUM> to <NUM> times the longitudinal length 240bL of the first side heat exchanger 240b.

The area not concealed by the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is formed on the front and right sides of the second outdoor unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the second outdoor unit <NUM> may be divided into four sections by a virtual vertical line VC that extends to the front and rear (F-R) from the center of the lateral axis (Ri-Le) and divides the second outdoor unit <NUM> in left and right directions, and a virtual horizontal line HC that extends to the left and right (Ri-Le) from the center of the longitudinal axis (F-R) and divides the second outdoor unit <NUM> in front and rear directions. In other words, the virtual horizontal line HC corresponds to a line passing through centers of left and right sides of the second outdoor unit <NUM> and thus dividing the second outdoor unit <NUM> in front and rear directions.

Referring to <FIG>, the second outdoor unit <NUM> may be divided into a first section I placed in the front right side, a second section II placed in the rear right side, a third section III placed in the front left side, and a fourth section IV placed in the rear left side, with respect to the vertical line VC and the horizontal line HC.

Referring to <FIG>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is not placed in the first section I. The second service panel <NUM> is placed at the front of the first section I. Thus, the components placed inside the second casing <NUM> may be repaired or inspected once the second service panel <NUM> is removed.

Therefore, the components placed inside the second outdoor unit <NUM> may be placed in the first section I or the second section II. Referring to <FIG>, the accumulator <NUM> and the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> are placed in the second section II. Referring to <FIG>, the water tank <NUM> is placed in the first section I.

They may be placed in the third section III or the fourth section IV to make effective use of the interior of the second casing <NUM>. The components placed in the third section III or the fourth section IV are located closer to the vertical line VC than the first side heat exchanger 240b, thereby enabling the user to have the relevant component easily repaired or inspected.

That is, referring to <FIG>, the distance D1 from the vertical line VC to the water pump <NUM> placed in the third section III is shorter than the distance D2 from the vertical line VC to the first side heat exchanger 240b. Also, the distance D3 from a virtual reference line V1, which extends to the front and rear from the end of the front heat exchanger 240a placed at the front, to the water pump <NUM> is shorter than the distance D2 from the virtual reference line V1 to the first side heat exchanger 240b.

Referring to <FIG>, the water pump <NUM> is placed between the heat radiator <NUM> and the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>. Here, the expression "between the heat radiator <NUM> and the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>" may refer to between inlet and outlet ends of the heat radiator <NUM> and the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the inlet and outlet ends of the heat radiator <NUM> may be formed at the ends of the front heat radiator 250a.

Since the water pump <NUM> is located adjacent to the heat radiator <NUM> and the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM>, it is easier to ensure a flow of water moving to the heat radiator <NUM> and the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> and therefore to provide faster heat transfer.

The switching valve <NUM> and oil separator <NUM> placed in the fourth section IV are located closer to the vertical line VC than the first side heat exchanger 240b.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerant tubes <NUM> may send the refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM> to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> or the indoor heat exchanger (not shown) and circulate the refrigerant back to the compressor <NUM> after heat transfer. The refrigerant tubes <NUM> may include a first inner refrigerant tube <NUM> placed inside the first outdoor unit <NUM>, a second inner refrigerant tube <NUM> placed inside the second outdoor unit <NUM>, and a third inner refrigerant tube (not shown) placed inside the indoor unit (not shown). Also, the refrigerant tubes <NUM> may include a first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> that is exposed on the outside of the first outdoor unit <NUM> and second outdoor unit <NUM> and connects the first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM>, and a second outer refrigerant tube <NUM> that is placed outside the second outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit and connects the second outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit.

The water tubes <NUM> may allow the water discharged from the water pump <NUM> to pass through the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM>, the engine <NUM>, and the heat radiator <NUM> or to pass through the plate-type heat exchanger <NUM> and circulate back to the water pump <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the water tubes <NUM> include a first inner water tube <NUM> placed inside the first outdoor unit <NUM>, a second inner water tube <NUM> placed inside the second outdoor unit <NUM>, and an outer water tube <NUM> placed outside the first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM> and connecting the first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> and the second outer refrigerant tube <NUM> connect the first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> and the outer water tube <NUM> include at least one bending portion <NUM> and <NUM> so as to keep the vibration generated from the first outdoor unit <NUM> from being transmitted to the second outdoor unit <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> and the outer water tube <NUM> each include four bending portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

The length of the water tubes <NUM> may be set in consideration of the performance of the water pump <NUM>. The performance of the water pump <NUM> needs to be enough to form a flow of water throughout the water tubes <NUM> including the heat radiator <NUM>. Thus, the length of the water tubes <NUM> may be limited by the performance range of the water pump <NUM>, and therefore it is desirable that the outer water tube <NUM> is made as short as possible. On the contrary, the length of the refrigerant tubes <NUM> may be less limited in length compared to water tubes <NUM>, in that the compressor <NUM> is run by the engine <NUM> and connected to a plurality of indoor units.

Accordingly, referring to <FIG>, the length L1+<NUM>*H1+<NUM>*W1 of the first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> exposed to the outside (i.e., the length of the first outer refrigerant) is greater than the length L2+<NUM>*H2+<NUM>*W2 of the outer water tube <NUM> exposed to the outside (i.e., the length of the outer water tube).

The first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> interconnects the first outdoor unit <NUM> and the second outdoor unit <NUM> which are located adjacent to each other, and the second outer refrigerant tube <NUM> interconnects the second outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit (not shown) which are placed in difference spaces. Thus, the length L1+<NUM>*H1+<NUM>*W1 of the first outer refrigerant tube <NUM> may be less than the length (not shown) of the second outer refrigerant tube <NUM> exposed to the outside (i.e., the length of the second outer refrigerant tube).

In the above, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

An air conditioner according to the present disclosure has one or more of the following advantages:
Firstly, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure can achieve the reliability of the outdoor heat exchanger since a first outdoor unit where a compressor runs by an engine is placed and a second outdoor unit where a plurality of heat exchangers reside are placed apart from each other, so as to minimize the vibration caused by the running of the engine from being transmitted to the second outdoor unit.

Secondly, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure allows for quick heat transfer in a heat radiator or plate-type heat exchanger by ensuring a flow of water by locating the heat radiator, the plate-type heat exchanger, and a water pump adjacent to one another inside the second outdoor unit.

Thirdly, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure provides easy serviceability to the internal components of the outdoor heat exchanger by adjusting the configuration of the internal components inside the outdoor heat exchanger.

Fourthly, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure has a first controller placed in the first outdoor unit to control the engine and engine-related components and a second controller placed in the second outdoor unit to control the operations of the blower fan and cooling pump. Although a controller for operation control may be needed, apart from the engine, when adding components like the water pump to the first outdoor unit, the above-described configuration may minimize the number of controllers, which may result in cost reduction.

Fifthly, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure offers easy serviceability to the control box by including a service panel where the control box is placed, without removing the service panel through a separate opening portion. Moreover, the control box may be kept at low temperature by being placed at a far distance from a heat source in the outdoor unit or being placed in an area where active air flow occurs.

Claim 1:
An air conditioner comprising:
a first outdoor unit (<NUM>) including an engine (<NUM>) operated by combustion of a gas fuel and a compressor (<NUM>) connected to the engine (<NUM>) by a belt (<NUM>) for compressing refrigerant;
a second outdoor unit (<NUM>) including an outdoor heat exchanger (<NUM>) that is placed apart from the first outdoor unit (<NUM>) and configured to transfer heat between outside air and refrigerant discharged from the compressor (<NUM>), a water pump (<NUM>) configured to supply water to the engine (<NUM>), and a heat radiator (<NUM>) configured to transfer heat between the water and outside air, wherein the second outdoor unit (<NUM>) is placed apart from the first outdoor unit (<NUM>);
a first refrigerant tube (<NUM>) that is exposed on the outside of the first outdoor unit (<NUM>) and the second outdoor unit (<NUM>), and connected to the compressor (<NUM>); and
a water tube (<NUM>) that is exposed on the outside of the first outdoor unit (<NUM>) and second outdoor unit (<NUM>), and connects the engine (<NUM>) and the water pump (<NUM>),
wherein the second outdoor unit (<NUM>) further comprises:
a plate-type heat exchanger (<NUM>) configured to transfer heat between the water and the refrigerant;
a first valve (252a) configured to send the water discharged from the engine (<NUM>) selectively to the plate-type heat exchanger (<NUM>) or the heat radiator (<NUM>); and
a second valve (252b) configured to send the water discharged from the engine (<NUM>) selectively to the first valve (252a) or the water pump (<NUM>).