Patent Description:
One example of a heat exchange device utilizing an earth thermal as a heat source is described in patent document <NUM> and patent document <NUM>. These heat exchange devices are configured to utilize as the heat source the earth thermal which is kept at a fixed temperature (for example, about <NUM> in Fukui prefecture) throughout the year. A heat exchange device a according to the patent document <NUM> is structured, as shown in <FIG>, such that a heat transfer medium liquid c is stored in a heat exchange storage tank b formed by covering an inner wall portion of a hole portion provided by excavating the ground to a required depth with a closed-end cylindrical casing. Further, a first tube body f is coupled to one end portion e of a heat exchange unit d which can radiate heat in a heat exchange region where a heat radiation is required, or absorb heat in a heat exchange region where a heat absorption is required, and a second tube body h is coupled to the other end portion g of the heat exchange unit d. An end portion j of the first tube body f and an end portion k of the second tube body h are both arranged within the heat exchange storage tank b at a required interval, a lower end opening m of the first tube body f is positioned upward and a lower end opening p of the second tube body h is positioned downward. Further, by driving a pump q arranged at an intermediate required position of the first tube body f or the second tube body h, the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b is sent to the heat exchange unit d, and the heat transfer medium liquid c is returned from the heat exchange unit d into the heat exchange storage tank b.

More specifically, a circulation flow channel r in which the heat transfer medium liquid c circulates in the heat exchange storage tank b and the heat exchange unit d is formed, and the heat transfer medium liquid c circulates in the circulation flow channel r by driving the pump q. A direction of this circulation can be switched by a flow channel switching device i employing a three-way valve, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Taking into consideration the fact that the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid within the underground buried heat exchange storage tank b is higher in its upper portion s and lower in its lower portion t, the heat transfer medium liquid c having the high temperature is supplied to the heat exchange unit d and the heat transfer medium liquid c is returned into the heat exchange storage tank b from the lower end opening p positioned below by using the lower end opening m positioned above as an inflow port on the basis of the driving of the pump q during the winter season as shown in <FIG>. In an opposite manner, during the summer season, as shown in <FIG>, the heat transfer medium liquid c having the low temperature within the heat exchange storage tank b is supplied to the heat exchange unit d by using the lower end opening p positioned below as an inflow port and the heat transfer medium liquid c is returned into the heat exchange storage tank b by using the lower end opening m positioned above as an outflow port.

Further, the patent document <NUM> describes that a cooling and heating operation of the building is carried out in the heat exchange unit d. <FIG> show a case where the heat exchange device a having the structure mentioned above is applied for constructing a water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device (hereinafter, refer also to as a cooling and heating device) v.

When heating the load side by the cooling and heating device v, the heat transfer medium liquid c from which the earth thermal is absorbed via a wall portion w in the heat exchange storage tank b is carried to a first heat exchanger a1 serving as an evaporation unit of a heat pump y by the driving of the pump q as shown in <FIG>. In the first heat exchanger a1, the heat is radiated from the carried heat transfer medium liquid c to the low-temperature and low-pressure heat pump heat medium passing through the expansion valve b1, so that the temperature of the heat pump heat medium is increased. After the heat pump heat medium is compressed by a compressor a3 so as to be temperature increased, the heat is exchanged between the heat pump heat medium and the air in the load side c1 by a second heat exchanger d1 serving as a condensation unit installed in the load side c1, and is radiated to the load side c1 so that the load side c <NUM> can be heated.

In an opposite manner, when the load side c1 is cooled during the summer season, the heat of the air in the load side c1 is absorbed by the heat medium in the heat absorption tube of the second heat exchanger d1, the heat medium is compressed by the compressor a3, and the heat is thereafter radiated into the heat transfer medium liquid c by the first heat exchanger a1 serving as the condensation unit. The heat transfer medium liquid c absorbing heat is carried to the heat exchange storage tank b by the pressure of the pump q, is heat radiated into the ground via the wall portion w thereof by the heat exchange storage tank b, and is thereafter returned to the first heat exchanger a1.

Next, a description will be given of a problem in the cooling and heating device v. In the following description, an annual average temperature of the earth thermal is specified as <NUM> as a matter of convenience. In the cooling and heating device v, a circulation volume of the heat transfer medium liquid c circulating in the circulation flow channel r is defined to a predetermined amount. If the heat transfer medium liquid less than the predetermined amount is injected, the heat transfer medium liquid only passes through a part within the heat exchange unit d, so that a predetermined efficiency of heat exchange can not be achieved. As a result, it is necessary to always circulate a predetermined amount of heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b.

However, the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b may have a temperature which is unnecessarily beyond a liquid temperature which the cooling and heating device v requires or may have a temperature which is unnecessarily below the liquid temperature.

For example, in the case where the cooling and heating device v is used for heating, it is assumed that the predetermined circulation volume required by the cooling and heating device v is <NUM>/min, the necessary liquid temperature of the inlet end f1 of the heat exchange unit d is <NUM>, and the liquid temperature of the outlet end g1 thereof is <NUM>. In this case, by setting the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b heated by the earth thermal to <NUM> in spite of <NUM> of the necessary liquid temperature, the heat transfer medium liquid c is returned into the heat exchange storage tank b without using up the thermal energy contained in the heat transfer medium liquid c when the heat transfer medium liquid c having the temperature of <NUM> is supplied to the heat exchange unit d. As a result, the temperature of the returned heat transfer medium liquid c comes to <NUM> if the thermal energy is not wastefully discharged during the circulation of the heat transfer medium liquid c in the circulation flow channel r.

As mentioned above, since the annual average temperature of the earth thermal is <NUM>, a temperature difference between the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid c returned to the heat exchange storage tank b and the temperature of the earth thermal is <NUM>. In the meantime, the greater the temperature difference is between the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b and the earth thermal is, the higher the efficiency of heat exchange is between the both. On the assumption that the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid within the heat exchange storage tank b is <NUM> which is the lowest temperature mentioned above, the temperature difference in relation to the earth thermal comes to <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency of heat exchange between the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b and the earth thermal. However, there have been conventionally a problem that the efficiency of heat exchange is not good.

In addition, the supply of the heat transfer medium liquid c having the unnecessarily high temperature to the heat exchange unit d as mentioned above causes the wasteful discharge of the thermal energy which is heat stored in the heat transfer medium c of the heat exchange storage tank b. As mentioned above, the conventional cooling and heating device v has been an uneconomical cooling and heating device which is not good in the heat efficiency as a whole.

Further, even in the case where the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b comes down to <NUM> due to progress of circulation of the heat transfer medium liquid c, the cooling and heating device v comes close to the predetermined temperature in its load side when a fixed time has passed after the actuation of the cooling and heating device v. Therefore, the amount of heat exchange may be reduced in the heat exchange unit d in comparison with the starting time. As a result, the same event as mentioned above has occurred. More specifically, even if the necessary liquid temperature in the heat exchange unit d is <NUM> at the starting time, the amount of heat exchange in the heat exchange unit d becomes at least better when the load side c1 becomes warmer to some extent. Therefore, the necessary liquid temperature may come to <NUM>. If the heat transfer medium liquid having the liquid temperature of <NUM> is supplied to the necessary liquid temperature of <NUM> as mentioned above, the temperature difference between the heat transfer medium liquid c returned to the heat exchange storage tank b and the earth thermal becomes smaller accordingly, thereby generating the problem that the efficiency of heat exchange is not good between the heat transfer medium liquid c and the earth thermal.

Further, when the cooling and heating device v is used for cooling, it is assumed that the predetermined circulation volume required by the cooling and heating device v is set to <NUM>/min, the necessary liquid temperature of the inlet end f1 of the heat exchange unit d is set to <NUM>, and the liquid temperature of the outlet end g1 thereof is <NUM>. In this case, the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b cooled by the earth thermal is <NUM> while the necessary liquid temperature is <NUM>. Therefore, when the heat transfer medium liquid c having the temperature of <NUM> is supplied to the heat exchange unit d, the heat transfer medium liquid c is returned into the heat exchange storage tank b without using up the thermal energy contained in the heat transfer medium liquid c. As a result, the temperature of the returned heat transfer medium liquid c comes to <NUM> if the thermal energy is not wastefully discharged during the circulation of the heat transfer medium liquid c in the circulation flow channel r.

Since the annual average temperature of the earth thermal is <NUM> as mentioned above, the temperature difference between the heat transfer medium liquid c returned to the heat exchange storage tank b and the earth thermal comes to <NUM>. In the meantime, the greater the temperature difference is between the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat transfer medium liquid storage tank b and the earth thermal, the higher the efficiency of heat exchange is between the both as mentioned above. On the assumption that the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b is <NUM> which is the highest temperature mentioned above, the temperature difference in relation to the earth thermal comes to <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency of heat exchange between the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b and the earth thermal. However, there have been conventionally the problem that the efficiency of heat exchange is not good.

In addition, the supply of the heat transfer medium liquid c having the unnecessarily low temperature to the heat exchange unit d as mentioned above causes the wasteful discharge of the thermal energy which is heat stored in the heat transfer medium c of the heat exchange storage tank b. As mentioned above, the conventional cooling and heating device v has been an uneconomical cooling and heating device which is not good in the heat efficiency as a whole.

Further, even in the case where the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid c within the heat exchange storage tank b comes up to <NUM> due to progress of circulation of the heat transfer medium liquid c, the cooling and heating device v comes close to the predetermined temperature in its load side when a fixed time has passed after the actuation of the cooling and heating device v. Therefore, the amount of heat exchange may be reduced in the heat exchange unit d in comparison with the starting time. As a result, the same event as mentioned above has occurred. More specifically, even if the necessary liquid temperature in the heat exchange unit d is <NUM> at the starting time, the amount of heat exchange in the heat exchange unit d becomes at least better when the load side becomes cooler to some extent. Therefore, the necessary liquid temperature may come to <NUM>. If the heat transfer medium liquid having the liquid temperature of <NUM> is supplied to the necessary liquid temperature of <NUM> as mentioned above, the temperature difference between the heat transfer medium liquid c returned to the heat exchange storage tank b and the earth thermal becomes smaller accordingly, thereby generating the problem that the efficiency of heat exchange is not good between the heat transfer medium liquid c and the earth thermal.

Further, a heat exchange device a according to the patent document <NUM> is provided with a tube body p1 in which the heat transfer medium liquid c flows, for example, as shown in <FIG>, and is structured such that a pump q1 for circulating the heat transfer medium liquid c in the tube body p1 is interposed in the tube body p1. The tube body p1 is provided with an earth thermal exchanging tube unit r1 which is buried in the ground, and a heat absorption and radiation unit s1 which can radiate heat in a heat exchange region where the heat radiation is required and can absorb heat in a heat exchange region where the heat absorption is required. The earth thermal exchanging tube unit r1 is structured such as to be provided with a U-shaped tube unit which is long in a vertical direction, and the U-shaped tube unit is housed in a vertical hole formed by excavating the ground in the vertical direction so as to extend in the vertical direction, and is set to a buried state in the ground.

According to the heat exchange device a mentioned above, the transfer of heat occurs from a surrounding ground u1 having a relatively higher temperature to the earth thermal exchanging tube unit r1 during the winter season, and the heat transfer medium liquid is temperature increased in a process that the heat transfer medium liquid passes through the earth thermal exchanging tube unit r1. Further, in the heat exchange region where the heat radiation is required, the heat is radiated in the heat absorption and radiation tube unit s1, and the heat transfer medium liquid c flowing in the heat absorption and radiation tube unit s1 is cooled. Further, during the summer season, the heat transfer medium liquid c flowing in the heat absorption and radiation tube unit s1 is temperature increased in the heat exchange region where the heat absorption is required. Further, the potential heat of the heat transfer medium liquid moves to the surrounding ground u1 and the heat transfer medium liquid is cooled in a process of passing through the earth thermal exchanging tube unit r1.

Further, the patent document <NUM> describes that the cooling and heating operation of the building is carried out in the heat absorption and radiation tube unit s1 in the same manner as in the patent document <NUM>. A problem generated by applying the heat exchange device a having the structure mentioned above for constructing the cooling and heating device is the same as that described in the patent document <NUM>. Patent document <NUM>, <CIT>, discloses a ground source air conditioning system having a closed circuit with a ground source heat exchanger for maintaining the heat transfer fluid near ground temperature, whereby the heat transfer fluid is circulated between the ground source heat exchanger and the heat exchanger units by means of a pump.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a heat exchange device structured such as to circulate a first heat transfer medium liquid in a heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel having a first heat exchange unit which exchanges heat in relation to a second heat exchange unit, and supply a second heat transfer medium liquid to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel from a heat source which holds the second heat transfer medium liquid having a temperature difference from a temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid, thereby making effective use of the thermal energy in the heat source when exchanging heat between the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit, the heat exchange device, and a water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device and a water-cooled type heat pump device using the heat exchange device.

In order to solve the problem mentioned above, the present invention employs a method of controlling a heat exchange device according to the present invention as defined in claim <NUM>. It is a method of controlling a heat exchange device structured such that a flow channel in which a heat transfer medium liquid flows is provided, the flow channel is provided with a heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel having a first heat exchange unit which exchanges heat in relation to a second heat exchange unit coming to a load side, a fixed amount of first heat transfer medium liquid circulates in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel, and an amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit fluctuates due to passage of time on the basis of fluctuation of an amount of heat required by the load side. A necessary amount of second heat transfer medium liquid capable of applying the amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit is supplied to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel by a heat source which holds the second heat transfer medium liquid having a temperature difference from the first heat transfer medium liquid, in such a manner that a detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid in an outlet end of the first heat exchange unit maintains a required set temperature in a side where an inlet end of the first heat exchange unit exists. Further, the same amount of the first heat transfer medium liquid as that of the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid is discharged in a side where the outlet end of the first heat exchange unit exists.

The heat exchange device is a heat exchange device structured such that a flow channel in which a heat transfer medium liquid flows is provided, the flow channel is provided with a heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel having a first heat exchange unit which exchanges heat in relation to a second heat exchange unit coming to a load side, a fixed amount of first heat transfer medium liquid circulates in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel by driving a pump attached thereto, and an amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit fluctuates due to passage of time on the basis of fluctuation of an amount of heat required by the load side. The heat exchange device is provided with a feed pipe for setting a heat source which holds a second heat transfer medium liquid having a temperature difference from the first heat transfer medium liquid and the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel in a communication state, the feed pipe is coupled to a side where an inlet end of the first heat exchange unit exists, and a discharge pipe is coupled to a side where an outlet end of the first heat exchange unit exists. Further, the heat transfer device is controlled to supply a necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid capable of applying an amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit to a side where the inlet end exists via the feed pipe, so that a detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid in the outlet end maintains a required set temperature. Further, the same amount of the first heat transfer medium liquid as that of the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid is discharged from the discharge pipe.

In the method according to an embodiment of the present invention, a mixed three-way valve is interposed at a position where the feed pipe or the discharge pipe is coupled to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel, and the pump is interposed between the mixed three-way valve and the inlet end or between the mixed three-way valve and the outlet end. Further, the mixed three-way valve is controlled to allow a necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid capable of applying an amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit to flow into the inlet end via the feed pipe, so that a detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid in the outlet end maintains a required set temperature, and the same amount of the first heat transfer medium liquid as that of the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid is discharged from the discharge pipe.

In the method according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the heat source is a groundwater collecting storage tank which holds the second heat transfer medium liquid as a groundwater having a temperature difference from the first heat transfer medium liquid, is buried in the ground and always moves the groundwater in and out.

In the method according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the heat source holding the second heat transfer medium liquid having the temperature difference from the first heat transfer medium liquid is a heat exchange storage tank which is buried in the ground.

In the method according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the heat supply source constructing the heat source is selected from a group of groundwater, hot spring discharged water, industrial liquid waste, sewage water waste liquid, river water, lake water, marine water, snow, ice and gas.

In the method according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the second heat transfer medium liquid is a heat transfer medium liquid which is cooled by a cooling tower.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device.

In the present invention, all of the mediums flowing in the flow channel is the heat transfer medium liquid. However, the first heat transfer medium means the heat transfer medium liquid circulating the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel among the heat transfer medium liquid, and the second heat transfer medium liquid means the heat transfer medium liquid supplied to the first heat exchange unit among the heat transfer medium liquid.

The present invention can effectively use the thermal energy in the heat source by circulating the first heat transfer medium liquid in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel having the first heat exchange unit which exchanges heat in relation to the second heat exchange unit, and supplying the necessary amount of second heat transfer medium liquid capable of applying the amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel from the heat source which holds the second heat transfer medium liquid having the temperature difference from the temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid, thereby exchanging heat between the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit.

<FIG> shows a heat exchange device <NUM> which carries out a method of controlling a heat exchange device according to the present invention. The heat exchange device <NUM> is provided with a flow channel <NUM> in which a heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flows, the flow channel <NUM> is provided with a heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> having a first heat exchange unit <NUM> which exchanges heat in relation to a second heat exchange unit <NUM> coming to a load side <NUM>, and the heat exchange device <NUM> is structured such that a fixed amount of first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> circulates in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>. Further, the heat exchange device <NUM> is structured such that an amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit <NUM> fluctuates with passage of time due to fluctuation of an amount of heat required by the load side <NUM>. Further, a feed pipe <NUM> is provided so as to make a heat source <NUM> and the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> in a communication state, the heat source <NUM> holding a second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> which has a temperature difference from the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>. The feed pipe <NUM> is coupled to a side <NUM> where an inlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists, and a discharge pipe <NUM> is coupled to a side <NUM> where an outlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists. Further, a necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> capable of applying an amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit <NUM> can be supplied to the side <NUM> where the inlet end <NUM> exists via the feed pipe <NUM> so that a detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintains a required set temperature. Further, the same amount of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> as that of the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is discharged from the discharge pipe <NUM>. In this case, the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> means the heat transfer medium liquid which circulates in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> among the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>, and the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> means the heat transfer medium liquid which is supplied to the first heat exchange unit <NUM> among the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, in order to circulate the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>, and discharge the same amount of first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> as the supplied heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>, one pump <NUM> is attached to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>. Further, a mixed three-way valve <NUM> having first, second and third connecting ports <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is interposed at a connection position <NUM> of the feed pipe <NUM> to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>, and the pump <NUM> is interposed between the mixed three-way valve <NUM> and the inlet end <NUM>. In the present embodiment, an electrically controlled mixed three-way valve is employed as the mixed three-way valve <NUM>. Further, as shown in <FIG>, a flow regulating valve <NUM> is interposed between the pump <NUM> and the inlet end <NUM>.

A description will be specifically given below of the heat exchange device <NUM> by exemplifying a case where the heat exchange device <NUM> is used for constructing a water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device (hereinafter, refer also to as a cooling and heating device) <NUM>.

The cooling and heating device <NUM> utilizes as the heat source an earth thermal which substantially keeps a fixed temperature (for example, about <NUM> in Fukui prefecture) throughout the year. In the following description, the annual average temperature of the earth thermal is specified as <NUM> as a matter of convenience.

The heat source <NUM> constructing the heat exchange device <NUM> is formed by using a heat exchange storage tank <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is formed by covering an inner wall portion of a hole portion provided by excavating the ground to a desired depth (for example, excavating to a depth between <NUM> and <NUM>) with a closed-end cylindrical casing in the present embodiment, and a heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is stored in the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>. Further, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> absorbs the earth thermal via a wall portion <NUM> of the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>, or an amount of heat held by the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is heat radiated to the ground via the wall portion <NUM>. The heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is constructed as a sealed water tank <NUM> which is closed in its upper end open portion by a lid member <NUM> as shown in <FIG> in the present embodiment.

The first heat exchange unit <NUM> and the second heat exchange unit <NUM> are incorporated in a first heat exchanger <NUM> which serves, for example, as a plate type heat exchanger having a good heat efficiency. Thus, the heat exchange is carried out between the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing in the first heat exchange unit <NUM> and a heat pump heat medium <NUM> flowing in the second heat exchange unit <NUM> in the first heat exchanger <NUM>, on the basis of the circulation of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> in the transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>.

When the load side <NUM> is heated by the cooling and heating device <NUM>, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> in which the earth thermal is absorbed in the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> via the wall portion <NUM> thereof is carried to the first heat exchange unit <NUM> by driving the pump <NUM>. In the first heat exchanger <NUM>, the heat is radiated from the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the first heat exchange unit <NUM> to the heat pump heat medium <NUM> passing through an expansion valve <NUM> and having a low temperature and a low pressure within the second heat exchange unit <NUM>, so that the heat pump heat medium <NUM> is temperature increased. The heat pump heat medium <NUM> coming out of the second heat exchange unit <NUM> is compressed by a compressor <NUM> so as to be temperature increased, is thereafter condensed by a second heat exchanger <NUM> provided in the load side <NUM>, is heat exchanged between the heat pump heat medium <NUM> of the second heat exchanger <NUM> and the air in the load side <NUM>, and is heat radiated to the load side <NUM>, so that the load side can be heated.

In an opposite manner, when the load side <NUM> is cooled during the summer season, the heat of the air in the load side is absorbed to the heat pump heat medium <NUM> by the second heat exchanger <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. After the heat pump heat medium <NUM> is compressed by the compressor <NUM>, the heat pump heat medium <NUM> is condensed by the first heat exchanger <NUM> and is heat radiated to the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the first heat exchange unit <NUM>. The heat absorbed first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is carried to the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> by the pressure of the pump <NUM>. In the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>, a potential heat of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is radiated to a surrounding ground <NUM> of the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> via the wall portion <NUM>.

The mixed three-way valve <NUM> is interposed in the connection position <NUM> to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and has the first, second and third connecting ports <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The first connecting port <NUM> is connected to an upstream end <NUM> of the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> as seen in a circulation direction F1, the second connecting port <NUM> is connected to a downstream end <NUM> as seen in the circulation direction F1, and the third connecting port <NUM> is connected to a supply end <NUM> of the feed pipe <NUM>. Further, the second connecting port <NUM> is set to a desired opening degree, for example, a fully opened state, and an opening degree of the first connecting port <NUM> and an opening degree of the third connecting port <NUM> are electrically controlled by a valve body (not shown) which is built in the mixed three-way valve <NUM>.

Further, a total amount of an inflow amount of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> from the first connecting port <NUM> into the mixed three-way valve <NUM> and an inflow amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> from the third connecting port <NUM> into the mixed three-way valve <NUM>, which is obtained by driving the pump <NUM> is controlled so as to be equal to an outflow amount from the second connecting port <NUM> into the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> (which is set to <NUM>/min by the flow regulating valve <NUM> as mentioned later in the present embodiment). Further, the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> and the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> are mixed within the mixed three-way valve <NUM> to form a mixed heat transfer medium liquid, and the mixed heat transfer medium liquid is flowed out to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> from the second connecting port <NUM>.

Further, the opening degree of the third connecting port <NUM> is electrically controlled in such a manner that the necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flows into the mixed three-way valve <NUM>.

The flow regulating valve <NUM> is provided for regulating a supply amount of the pump <NUM> to a flow amount required by the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> in the present embodiment, and the flow amount is regulated to <NUM>/min in the present embodiment.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, an upper end <NUM> of a first tube body <NUM> is coupled to a connection end <NUM> of the feed pipe <NUM> in an opposite side to the supply end <NUM> via a first three-way switching valve <NUM> for switching the flow channel. The first tube body <NUM> extends in a vertical direction and a lower end opening <NUM> thereof is open in an upper portion <NUM> of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> which is stored in the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>. Further, an upper end <NUM> of a second tube body <NUM> is coupled to a connection end <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM> in an opposite side to a connection end <NUM> for the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> via a second three-way switching valve <NUM> for switching the flow channel. The second tube body <NUM> extends downward along an outer surface <NUM> of the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>, and a lower end opening <NUM> thereof is coupled to a lower end <NUM> of the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>. According to this structure, the lower end opening <NUM> is set to a state in which the lower end opening <NUM> is open in a lower portion <NUM> of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> which is stored within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>. Further, the remaining connecting port <NUM> of the second three-way switching valve <NUM> and an upper position of the first tube body <NUM> are coupled by a first connecting tube <NUM> for switching. Further, the remaining connecting port <NUM> of the first three-way switching valve <NUM> and an upper position of the second tube body <NUM> are coupled by a second connecting tube <NUM> for switching.

The flow direction of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing in the first tube body <NUM> and the second tube body <NUM> can be switched as shown by an arrow in <FIG> and <FIG> between a case where the cooling and heating device <NUM> is used for heating and a case where the cooling and heating device <NUM> is used for cooling, on the basis of the switching action of the flow channel by means of the first and second three-way switching valves <NUM> and <NUM>.

This switching is carried out by taking into consideration the fact that the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> housed in the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is higher in the upper portion <NUM> and lower in the lower portion <NUM>. In a case where the cooling and heating device <NUM> is used for heating on the basis of the flow channel switching, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> sucked by the lower end opening <NUM> of the first tube body <NUM> and having the high temperature in the upper portion <NUM> is supplied as the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> to the supply end <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In conjunction with this, the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> discharged out of the discharge pipe <NUM> and having the low temperature is discharged at a lower end opening <NUM> of the second tube body in the lower portion <NUM>.

In an opposite manner, in a case where the cooling and heating device <NUM> is used for cooling, as shown in <FIG>, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> sucked at the lower end opening <NUM> of the second tube body <NUM> and having the low temperature in the lower portion <NUM> is supplied to the feed pipe <NUM>, and the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> discharged out of the discharge pipe <NUM> and having the high temperature is discharged at the lower end opening <NUM> of the first tube body <NUM> in the upper portion <NUM>.

When the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is supplied to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> as mentioned above, the same amount of first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> as the amount of the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is returned into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> from the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> via the discharge pipe <NUM> on the basis of an extruding action of the heat transfer medium liquid by the pump <NUM>. Further, since the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is constructed as a sealed water tank <NUM>, the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> can be smoothly sucked by driving the pump <NUM> owing to the pressure increase in the sealed water tank <NUM> caused by the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>. The sucked second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is mixed with the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> which flows into the mixed three-way valve <NUM> from the first connecting port <NUM> (<FIG>) by the mixed three-way valve <NUM>, and the mixed heat transfer medium liquid is supplied at <NUM>/min to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> from the second connecting port <NUM> (<FIG>).

The necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is set so that a detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> maintains a required set temperature at an outlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM>. In other words, the necessary amount is set so that the first heat exchange unit <NUM> can apply an amount of heat which is necessary moment to moment.

In order to set the necessary amount, the mixed three-way valve <NUM> is electrically controlled by a detected signal obtained by a temperature detector which is provided at the outlet end <NUM>. For example, in a case where a predetermined circulation volume required by the cooling and heating device <NUM> is set to <NUM>/min and the required set temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is set to <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> when the cooling and heating device <NUM> is used for heating, the necessary amount of second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is supplied to the inlet end <NUM> so that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> maintains the required set temperature <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM>.

The necessary liquid temperature at the inlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> required for maintaining the required set temperature <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> is assumed to be <NUM> when starting the cooling and heating device <NUM>. For this purpose, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> heated by the earth thermal and having the temperature of <NUM> is supplied as the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> to the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> which circulates in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>. According to this structure, the necessary liquid temperature <NUM> at the inlet end <NUM> can be secured.

Thereafter, when the load side <NUM> warms up to some extent, the amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit <NUM> may be reduced. At this time, if the necessary liquid temperature at the inlet end <NUM> required for the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintaining the required set temperature <NUM> is set to <NUM>, the necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> may be reduced in comparison with the initial one. Since the mixed three-way valve <NUM> is electrically controlled by the temperature detected signal by means of the temperature detector <NUM> provided at the outlet end <NUM>, the necessary amount is automatically set. The electric control of the mixed three-way valve <NUM> means electrically controlling an opening degree of the first connecting port <NUM> and an opening degree of the third connecting port <NUM> by means of the valve body as mentioned above. Thereafter, the closer the load side <NUM> comes to the set temperature, the more the necessary amount is further reduced. However, the necessary amount is desirably set by electrically controlling the mixed three-way valve in the same manner.

Further, in a case where the predetermined circulation volume required by the cooling and heating device <NUM> is set to <NUM>/min, and the required set temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> is set to <NUM> when the cooling and heating device <NUM> is used for cooling, the necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> controlled so that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintains the required set temperature is supplied to the inlet end <NUM>.

The necessary liquid temperature of the inlet end <NUM> required for maintaining the required set temperature <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> when activating the cooling and heating device <NUM> is set to <NUM>. For this purpose, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is supplied to the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> circulating in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> being cooled by the earth thermal and having the temperature of <NUM>, so that the necessary liquid temperature <NUM> at the inlet end <NUM> is secured. Thereafter, when the load side <NUM> is cooled to some extent, the amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit <NUM> may be reduced. In this case, on the assumption that the necessary liquid temperature at the inlet end <NUM> required for the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> to maintain the required set temperature is <NUM>, the necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> can be reduced in comparison with the initial amount. This necessary amount is automatically set by the electrical control of the mixed three-way valve <NUM> on the basis of the temperature detected signal by means of the temperature detector <NUM> which is provided at the outlet end <NUM>. Thereafter, the closer the load side <NUM> comes to the set temperature, the more the necessary amount is reduced. However, the necessary amount is desirably set by the electrical control of the mixed three-way valve in the same manner.

In a case where the water is employed as the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> and the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> when the heat exchange device <NUM> is used as the cooling and heating device <NUM> so as to heat the load side as mentioned above, the required set temperature is preferably set to <NUM>. The control method of the heat exchange device <NUM> having the structure mentioned above controls so that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintains the required set temperature by supplying the necessary amount of second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> to the first heat exchange unit <NUM>. However, the detected temperature somewhat fluctuates. Therefore, if the required temperature is set to <NUM> or <NUM>, the temperature at the outlet end <NUM> may go below <NUM>. In this case, there is a risk that the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the first exchange unit <NUM> freezes. Therefore, the required set temperature is preferably set to <NUM> for safety so as to prevent the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing out of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> from freezing. In a case where an antifreeze liquid is used as the heat transfer medium liquid, the required set temperature may be set to <NUM> or less.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> discharged out of the discharge pipe <NUM> is returned into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>. However, the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> corresponding to the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is low. As a result, a temperature difference is great between the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing thereinto and the earth thermal. Therefore, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> can be efficiently heat exchanged with the earth thermal.

A description will be given here of a state in which the amount of heat held by the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> stored in the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is consumed, a state in which the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> returned into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> and having the low temperature is heated little by little by the transfer of heat in the earth thermal via the wall portion <NUM> of the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>, and a state in which the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> returned into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> and having the high temperature is cooled little by little by the transfer of heat in the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> via the wall portion <NUM> to the surrounding ground <NUM>.

In a case where the heat exchange device <NUM> is applied to the cooling and heating device <NUM> and the cooling and heating device <NUM> carries out the heating operation, the transfer of heat from the surrounding ground <NUM> having a relatively high temperature to the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> occurs and the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is heated little by little when the cooling and heating device <NUM> is under an operation stop state, for example, during the night. As a result, if a time for which the heat exchange device <NUM> is under the stop state is equal to or longer than a fixed time, the entire temperature of the stored heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> can come to <NUM> which is equal to the ground temperature. The lower the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> returning into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> as mentioned above is, that is, the greater the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing thereinto and the earth thermal is, the more effectively the heat of the earth thermal can be collected.

In order to positively take the amount of heat used during the day in from the surrounding ground during the night when the cooling and heating device <NUM> is under the operation stop state, any flow preferably exists in the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>. For example, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> can be moved up and down while bringing the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> into contact with the inner surface of the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> as much as possible by circulating the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> on the basis of driving of a circulation pump. As a result, it is possible to improve a moving efficiency of the earth thermal to the stored heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> and a heat transfer efficiency from the stored heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> to the surrounding ground <NUM>.

The amount of heat reserved in the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is consumed little by little by operating the heat exchange device <NUM> during the day as mentioned above. However, the necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> supplied to the inlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> is set in such a manner that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> of the heat exchange unit <NUM> maintains the required set temperature. Therefore, an amount per unit time of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> supplied to the first heat exchange unit <NUM> can be reduced.

In a case where the heat exchange device <NUM> is applied to the cooling and heating device <NUM> as one example, the heat supply amount to the heating load side <NUM> is much, for example, about <NUM> minutes from starting the heating operation. As a result, the amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> fed from the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> to the first heat exchange unit <NUM> is much. However, when the load side <NUM> thereafter warms up to some extent, the amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit <NUM> can be reduced. For example, even if the necessary liquid temperature of the inlet end <NUM> is initially required to be <NUM> and the necessary amount thereof is initially <NUM>/min, the necessary amount may be <NUM>/min or less when the load side <NUM> is going to warm up to some extent. According to this matter, it is possible to circulate the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> in the flow channel <NUM> for a long time period (for example, for about <NUM> or <NUM> hours). As a result, it is possible to consume the storage of heat held by the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> for a long time period.

The storage of heat is reduced little by little, however, the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> returning into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is low as mentioned above, so that the temperature difference is great between the temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing thereinto and the earth thermal. As a result, it is possible to efficiently exchange heat between the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flowing into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> and the earth thermal as mentioned above. Further, since the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> circulates for a long time period as mentioned above, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> returning into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> at the lower portion <NUM> can collects the heat of the earth thermal for a long time period. For the reason as mentioned above, according to the heat exchange device <NUM>, it is possible to utilize the amount of the stored heat for a long time period, and it is possible to utilize the amount of heat of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> which returns into the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> and is heated by the earth thermal for a long time period.

Therefore, after the storage of heat within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> circulates and is consumed, it is possible to utilize the heat transfer medium liquid which is sufficiently heated by the earth thermal over time, that is, the amount of heat of the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> under a state of sufficiently absorbing the earth thermal. Accordingly, it is possible to utilize the amount of heat included in the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> for a long time period.

These matters are applied in the same manner to a case where the heat exchange device <NUM> is applied to the cooling and heating device <NUM> and the cooling and heating device <NUM> is employed for the cooling operation, and are applied in the same manner to a case where the heat exchange device <NUM> is employed, for example, in a hot water machine or a refrigerating machine which uses a water-cooled type heat pump.

<FIG> show another heat exchange device <NUM> which executes the method of controlling the heat exchange device according to the present invention. The heat exchange device <NUM> is provided with a flow channel <NUM> in which the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flows, and the flow channel <NUM> is provided with a heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> having a first heat exchange unit <NUM> which exchanges heat in relation to a second heat exchange unit <NUM>. The heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> is structured such that the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> circulates therein by driving a first pump <NUM> which is attached to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>. Further, it is provided with a heat source <NUM> which holds a second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> having a temperature difference from the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>, and is provided with a feed pipe <NUM> which sets the heat source <NUM> and the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> in a communication state. Further, the feed pipe <NUM> is coupled to a side <NUM> where an inlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists, and a discharge pipe <NUM> is coupled to a side <NUM> where an outlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists. The heat source <NUM> is constructed by employing a heat exchange storage tank <NUM> buried in the ground in the same manner as that of the embodiment <NUM>.

Further, a necessary amount of second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> capable of applying an amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit <NUM> is controlled to be capable of being supplied to a side <NUM> where the inlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists, via the feed pipe <NUM>, by driving a second pump <NUM> attached to the feed pipe <NUM>, in such a manner that a detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintains a required set temperature. Further, the same amount of first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> as that of the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is discharged out of the discharge pipe <NUM>. Here, the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> means the heat transfer medium liquid which circulates in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> among the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>, and the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> means the heat transfer medium liquid which is supplied to the first heat exchange unit <NUM> among the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>.

Taking as an example a case where the heat exchange device <NUM> is used for constructing a water-cooled type heat pump device <NUM> for a cooling and heating operation, this case can be achieved by replacing the mixed three-way valve <NUM> shown in <FIG> describing the embodiment <NUM> with the first pump <NUM> and the second pump <NUM> which are inverter controlled. Since an operation and effect of the cooling and heating device <NUM> having the structure mentioned above is the same as that described in the embodiment <NUM>, a specific description thereof will be omitted.

In <FIG>, same reference numerals are attached to portions which are in common with <FIG>. In <FIG>, the upper end <NUM> of the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is opened as is different from the case in <FIG>. Further, reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG> denotes a flow rate detector. The heat exchange device <NUM> can be also applied, for example, to a hot water machine or a refrigerating machine which employs the water-cooled type heat pump.

<FIG> shows an embodiment in a case where the heat exchange device <NUM> is applied to a water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device <NUM> which is commonly sold currently. The water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device <NUM> has collected heat from the heat transfer medium liquid supplied from the external heat source by lowering the temperature of the heat medium of the heat exchanger installed within the heat pump to a temperature less than a freezing point, for raising the efficiency to the maximum, in a case where it is used for heating. Therefore, the heat transfer medium liquid necessarily uses an antifreeze liquid so as to prevent the heat transfer medium liquid from freezing in the heat exchanger. However, it is necessary to restrict a used amount of the antifreeze liquid since the antifreeze liquid is generally expensive. Further, in a case where the external heat source employs an earth thermal exchanger utilizing the earth thermal, for example, the heat exchange storage tank <NUM>, not only it is necessary to house a lot of antifreeze liquid in the earth thermal exchange and a high cost is required, but also there is a problem that leakage of the antifreeze liquid into the ground may cause a ground pollution. According to these matters, in the case where the earth thermal exchanger is used as the external heat source, the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> housed therein is preferably water.

<FIG> shows a case where an attached heat exchanger <NUM> such as a plate type heat exchanger having a good heat efficiency is provided between the heat exchange device <NUM> having the structure mentioned above and the water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device <NUM> for heating while using the conventional water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device <NUM>. In the attached heat exchanger <NUM>, there are arranged the first heat exchange unit <NUM> of the heat exchange device according to the present invention, and the second heat exchange unit <NUM> which forms a part of an antifreeze liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> constructed by having a heat exchange unit <NUM> arranged in a heat exchanger <NUM> which is installed within the heat pump. Further, it is structured such that the heat exchange is carried out between the first heat exchange unit <NUM> in which the water flows, and the second heat exchange unit <NUM> in which the antifreeze liquid flows. In <FIG>, the structure is constructed by applying the heat exchange device <NUM> using one pump <NUM>, for example, shown by the embodiment <NUM>, however, may be constructed by applying the heat exchange device <NUM> using two pumps, for example, shown by the embodiment <NUM>.

The heat exchange in the case constructed as mentioned above is carried out in the same manner as that described in the embodiment <NUM> and the embodiment <NUM>. For example, the necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> required by the first heat exchange unit <NUM> is supplied from the heat source <NUM> in such a manner that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> of the heat exchange device <NUM> maintains the required set temperature, for example, <NUM> so as to prevent the temperature of the antifreeze liquid from coming to a minus temperature. In conjunction with this, the same amount of first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> as that of the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is discharged in the side <NUM> where the outlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists.

In the case constructed as mentioned above, an amount of the antifreeze liquid is extremely small amount since the antifreeze liquid is used for in the antifreeze liquid circulation flow channel <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously solve both the problem in cost associated with the antifreeze liquid and the problem in the ground pollution. The heat exchange device <NUM> according to the present embodiment can be also applied, for example, to a hot water machine and a refrigerating machine using the water-cooled type heat pump.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an example of the heat exchange device <NUM> provided with the heat source <NUM> in which the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> constructed as a vertically long U-shaped tube unit <NUM> is provided. The U-shaped tube unit <NUM> is buried within a vertical hole formed by excavating the ground in a vertical direction, so that a length direction thereof extends in the vertical direction, and the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is stored within the U-shaped tube unit <NUM>. Further, one end <NUM> of the U-shaped tube unit <NUM> is coupled to a connection end <NUM> of the feed pipe <NUM> in an opposite side to the supply end <NUM>, and the other end <NUM> of the U-shaped tube unit <NUM> is coupled to a connection end <NUM> of the discharge pipe <NUM> in an opposite side to the connection end <NUM> relative to the side <NUM> where the outlet end <NUM> exists.

The heat exchange device <NUM> according to <FIG> is structured such that the necessary amount of heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is supplies as the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> to the inlet end <NUM> by driving the pump <NUM> in such a manner that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintains the required set temperature. Further, the heat exchange device <NUM> according to <FIG> is structured such that the necessary amount of heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> within the U-shaped tube unit <NUM> is supplied as the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> to the inlet end <NUM> by driving the second pump <NUM> in such a manner that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintains the required set temperature.

Further, the same amount of first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> as the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> supplied as mentioned above is returned to the U-shaped tube unit <NUM> via the discharge pipe <NUM>. The U-shaped tube unit <NUM> having the structure mentioned above may be set, for example, to a state in which the U-shaped tube unit <NUM> is immersed under the heat transfer medium liquid stored in a closed-end hole portion which is provided in a plie buried in the ground. In this case, a desired heat exchange is carried out between the heat transfer medium liquid within the U-shaped tube unit <NUM>, and the stored heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>. Since the other structures of the heat exchange device <NUM> mentioned above and an intended use thereof, and an operation and effect are the same as those described in the embodiment <NUM> and the embodiment <NUM>, a specific description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> show the other embodiment of the heat exchange device <NUM>, in which an arranged state of a whole or a part of the second tube body <NUM>, the pump <NUM>, the mixed three-way valve <NUM> and the flow regulating valve <NUM> is changed in a case where the heat source <NUM> holding the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is constructed by using the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> serving as the sealed water tank <NUM> described in the embodiment <NUM>. In <FIG>, the second tube body <NUM> is extended downward within the sealed water tank <NUM>.

Each of these heat exchange devices <NUM> is a heat exchange device provided with the flow channel <NUM> in which the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flows, and structured such that the flow channel <NUM> is provided with the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> having the first heat exchange unit <NUM> which exchanges heat in relation to the second heat exchange unit <NUM> serving as the load side, a fixed amount of first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is circulated into the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> by driving the pump <NUM> attached thereto, and the amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit <NUM> fluctuates on the basis of passage of time due to fluctuation of the amount of heat required by the load side <NUM>, in <FIG>.

Further, it is provided with the feed pipe <NUM> which sets the heat source <NUM> holding the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> having the temperature difference from the temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> and the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> in the circulation state, the feed pipe <NUM> is coupled to the side where the inlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists, and the discharge pipe <NUM> is coupled to the side where the outlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists. Further, it is controlled so as to supply the necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> capable of applying the amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit <NUM> to the side where the inlet end <NUM> exists via the feed pipe <NUM>, in such a manner that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintains the required set temperature. Further, the same amount of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> as the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is discharged out of the discharge pipe <NUM>.

These heat exchange devices <NUM> can be applied, for example, to the cooling and heating device, the hot water machine or the refrigerating machine using the water-cooled type heat pump. In the preset embodiment, as long as the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> is the sealed water tank <NUM>, the second tube body <NUM> may be housed in the sealed water tank <NUM>, and may extend downward along an outer surface <NUM> (<FIG>) of the sealed water tank <NUM>, and a lower end opening thereof may be coupled to a lower end of the sealed water tank <NUM>. In <FIG>, same reference numerals are attached to positions which are in common with <FIG>.

<FIG> show the other embodiment of the heat exchange device <NUM>, which is applied for constructing the water-cooled type heat pump cooling and heating device <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the heat source <NUM> is constructed by using a cooling tower <NUM>, and the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> cooled by the cooling tower <NUM> is set to the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>. The structure of the heat source <NUM> is a different point from the case in the heat exchange device <NUM> described in the embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>.

Each of the heat exchange devices <NUM> according to <FIG> is provided with the flow channel <NUM> in which the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> flows, and is structured such that the flow channel <NUM> is provided with the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> having the first heat exchange unit <NUM> which exchanges heat in relation to the second heat exchange unit <NUM> serving as the load side <NUM>, and a fixed amount of first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is circulated into the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> by driving the pump <NUM> attached thereto. Further, it is structured such that the amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit <NUM> fluctuates on the basis of passage of time due to fluctuation of the amount of heat required by the load side <NUM>. Further, it is provided with the feed pipe <NUM> which sets the heat source <NUM> holding the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> having the temperature difference from the temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> and the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel <NUM> in a communication state, and the feed pipe <NUM> is coupled to the side where the inlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists. Further, the discharge pipe <NUM> is coupled to the side where the outlet end <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> exists, and is controlled so as to supply the necessary amount of the second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> capable of applying the amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit <NUM> to the side where the inlet end <NUM> exists via the feed pipe <NUM> in such a manner that the detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> at the outlet end <NUM> maintains the required set temperature, and the same amount of the first heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> as the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> is discharged out of the discharge pipe <NUM>.

A description will be in detail given below of this. The cooling tower <NUM> is utilized as a heat source for the water-cooled type cooling device and the water-cooled type refrigerating machine, and is a device for cooling the heat transfer medium liquid by water evaporation heat. Since the cooling tower <NUM> utilizes the evaporation heat so as to cool, the cooling tower <NUM> can cool the heat transfer medium liquid to be equal to or lower than an atmospheric temperature in a case where a humidity is low. It can be expressed as a dry-bulb temperature and a wet-bulb temperature. For example, the water temperature under the environment of atmospheric temperature <NUM> (dry-bulb temperature) and humidity <NUM> % is lowered to <NUM> (wet-bulb temperature) to the maximum. The cooling tower is set to the heat source for the cooling device and the refrigerating machine by utilizing this phenomenon.

In a case where a residential indoor or a freezing chamber is cooled by the cooling device or the refrigerating machine having the structure mentioned above, the cooling device or the refrigerating machine is operated at the maximum output at the beginning since a difference between a set temperature and a room temperature is great. Then, the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature is reduced little by little, and the output of the device does not require the maximum output and comes to an output corresponding to only an amount of heat lost to the outdoor environment. It is assumed that an amount of the heat transfer medium liquid supplied from the cooling tower <NUM> is <NUM>/min and a water temperature thereof is <NUM>, and the amount of heat at <NUM> is discharged to the heat transfer medium liquid and is returned to the cooling tower <NUM> at <NUM> at the maximum output operating time. In this case, as mentioned above, it is assumed that the room temperature comes close to the set temperature little by little, and the first heat exchange unit <NUM> comes to a state in which the first heat exchange unit <NUM> only uses the amount of heat at <NUM> in <NUM>/min. A description will be given below of an advantage of the heat exchange device <NUM> according to the present embodiment in this state in comparison with the conventional heat exchange device utilizing the cooling tower.

In the case of the conventional cooling tower, if <NUM>/min of the heat transfer medium liquid is returned to the cooling tower, and is cooled at <NUM> in relation to the air by the evaporation, the heat transfer medium liquid will be sent at <NUM> when being returned at <NUM>. When the prosecution is progressed further, for example, in a case where the environment around the cooling tower is <NUM> in the atmospheric temperature and <NUM> % in the humidity mentioned above, the water temperature of the circulating water getting out of the cooling tower is lowered to the wet-bulb temperature <NUM> and is returned at <NUM>. Here, if the atmospheric temperature is <NUM>, the heat transfer medium liquid is lowered to the atmospheric temperature or less. As a result, transfer of heat from the air occurs, and an amount of water required for cooling on the basis of the evaporation is increased.

On the contrary, according to the present invention, when the cooling tower <NUM> is used under the same condition, the water temperature of the heat transfer medium liquid getting out of the heat pump is <NUM> and the amount of the heat transfer medium liquid returning to the cooling toward is <NUM>/min. the evaporation amount for cooling <NUM>/min heat transfer medium liquid having the temperature of <NUM> to <NUM> is one fifth of the amount in a case where <NUM>/min heat transfer medium liquid having the temperature of <NUM> is cooled to <NUM> since the heat transfer medium liquid is also cooled by the air, so that the amount of the evaporated water can be widely reduced, thereby efficiently cooling to <NUM> or less by adding the cooling operation by the ambient air. As mentioned above, according to the present invention, it is possible make effective use of the thermal energy in the cooling tower (the heat source).

The present invention is not limited to the structures shown in the embodiments mentioned above, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

The heat source <NUM> can be constructed by using the heat exchange storage tank <NUM> employing the pile buried in the ground and storing the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> in the closed-end hole portion provided along an axis of the pile.

Therefore, it is considered to use the antifreeze liquid as the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>. However, the antifreeze liquid is expensive and may cause a problem of an environmental pollution in a case where the antifreeze liquid leaks into the environment such as the ground. It is thought that the problem mentioned above can be dissolved by using the water as the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>. However, in a case where the water is used as the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>, there is a risk that the water is frozen while the water flows in the flow channel <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> and the frozen water clogs the flow channel <NUM>. Such being the case, in the case where the water is used as the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>, a means for preventing the water from being frozen in the flow channel of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> is required.

As one of the means, it is possible to provide a means for covering an inner surface <NUM> of the flow channel <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> with a water-repellent coating film <NUM>, for example, as shown in <FIG>. The water-repellent coating film <NUM> can be formed, for example, by applying a water-repellent resin coating such as a fluorine coating or a hydrophobic silica coating, or can be formed by a super water-repellent coating obtained by applying a nano meter size plating.

In a case where the inner surface <NUM> of the flow channel <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM> is covered with the water-repellent coating film <NUM> as mentioned above, even if a core for freezing is generated on a surface <NUM> of the water-repellent coating film <NUM>, the core can be easily peeled from the surface <NUM> on the basis of the flow speed of the water and the water repellency of the water-repellent coating film <NUM> by setting the temperature of the water (the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>) flowing in the flow channel <NUM> to a temperature (for example, <NUM>) which is higher than <NUM>. Further, the peeled core can be flowed out by the water stream and be melted.

Accordingly, even when the heat exchange device <NUM> using the water as the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM> carries out the heating operation, it is possible to prevent the water (the heat transfer medium liquid <NUM>) from being frozen while flowing in the flow channel <NUM> of the first heat exchange unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A method of controlling a heat exchange device (<NUM>) structured such that a flow channel (<NUM>) in which a heat transfer medium liquid (<NUM>) flows is provided, the flow channel (<NUM>) is provided with a heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel (<NUM>) having a first heat exchange unit (<NUM>) which exchanges heat in relation to a second heat exchange unit (<NUM>) coming to a load side (<NUM>), a fixed amount of first heat transfer medium liquid (<NUM>) circulates in the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel (<NUM>), and an amount of heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit (<NUM>) fluctuates due to passage of time on the basis of fluctuation of an amount of heat required by the load side (<NUM>),
wherein the method comprises the steps of supplying a necessary amount of second heat transfer medium liquid (<NUM>) capable of applying the amount of heat required by the first heat exchange unit (<NUM>) to the heat transfer medium liquid circulation flow channel (<NUM>) by a heat source (<NUM>) which holds the second heat transfer medium liquid (<NUM>) having a temperature difference from the first heat transfer medium liquid (<NUM>), in such a manner that a detected temperature of the first heat transfer medium liquid (<NUM>) in an outlet end (<NUM>) of the first heat exchange unit (<NUM>) maintains a required set temperature in a side where an inlet end (<NUM>) of the first heat exchange unit (<NUM>) exists, and discharging the same amount of the first heat transfer medium liquid (<NUM>) as that of the supplied second heat transfer medium liquid (<NUM>) in a side where the outlet end (<NUM>) of the first heat exchange unit (<NUM>) exists.