Patent Description:
A heat pump system may be a system having a refrigeration cycle in which cooling or heating operations are performed and be interlocked with a hot water supply device and a cooling/heating device. That is, hot water may be produced, or air-conditioning for the cooling and heating operations may be performed using a heat source obtained by heat-exchange between a refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle and a predetermined heat storage medium.

For the refrigerant cycle, a condenser that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, an expansion device that depressurizes the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, and an evaporator that evaporates the depressurized refrigerant are provided.

The heat pump system includes a gas heat pump (GHP) system. A high-capacity compressor, which is not intended for domestic use but for industries or for air-conditioning large buildings is required. That is, the gas heat pump system may be used as a system using a gas engine, instead of an electric motor so as to drive the compressor for compressing a large amount of refrigerant into a high-temperature high-pressure gas.

The gas heat pump system includes an engine that generates power by using a mixture (hereinafter, referred to as a mixed fuel) of a fuel and air, an air supply device that supplies the mixed fuel to the engine, a fuel supply device, and a mixer that mixes the air with the fuel.

The engine may include a cylinder, to which the mixed fuel is supplied, and a piston, which is movably provided in the cylinder. The air supply device may include an air filter that purifies the air. Also, the fuel supply device may include a zero governor for suppling the fuel having a constant pressure.

The gas heat pump system may include cooling water, which cools the engine while being circulated in the engine. The cooling water may absorb waste heat of the engine, and the absorbed waste heat may be supplied to the refrigerant circulated in the gas heat pump system to assist performance enhancement of the system. In particular, when a heating operation is performed due to a low temperature of the external air, evaporation performance in the refrigeration cycle may be improved.

The gas heat pump system further includes a supercooling heat exchanger for supercooling the condensed refrigerant. In the supercooling heat exchanger, the condensed main refrigerant and the branched refrigerant that is branched from the condensed refrigerant and is depressurized are heat-exchanged with each other.

A plurality of components of the gas heat pump system may be disposed inside an outdoor unit. In order to efficiently utilize a limited internal space of the outdoor unit, it is necessary to locate the plurality of components at appropriate positions.

In particular, since a refrigerant pipe or a cooling water pipe has to be connected in the auxiliary heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger, a surrounding space has to be sufficiently secured. Also, since each of the auxiliary heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger has a relatively heavy weight, it is necessary to be stably supported.

In the outdoor unit of the gas heat pump system according to the related art, there is a problem that a separate frame for supporting the auxiliary heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger has to be provided. Particularly, in order to stably support the auxiliary heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger, there is a problem that a plurality of frames are required to increase in material cost.

Also, the auxiliary heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger are generally mounted on a main frame provided at an edge of the outdoor unit. According to this arrangement, there is a problem that a distance between each of the auxiliary heat exchanger and the supercooling heat exchanger and other components of the refrigerant cycle or other components of the cooling water cycle such as the engine increases so that the refrigerant pipe or the cooling water pipe increases in length.

A prior art document with respect to the gas heat pump system according to the related art is as follows.

<CIT> discloses an outdoor unit according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present invention has been proposed to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit of a gas heat pump system, in which a support structure capable of stably supporting a heat exchanger is provided.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit of a gas heat pump system in which a heat exchanger is directly supported by a component (hereinafter, referred to as a support component) of a refrigerant cycle so that a separate frame structure for supporting the heat exchanger is capable of being removed.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit of a gas heat pump system in which a relatively heavy component, for example, a storage tank is capable of being utilized as a support component so as to stably support a heat exchanger.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit of a gas heat pump system in which a fixing bracket is provided to stably support a heat exchanger on a support component.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit of a gas heat pump system in which a plurality of heat exchangers are disposed on both sides of a support component to prevent a center of gravity of the support component from leaning to one side.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit of a gas heat pump system in which a refrigerant pipe or a cooling water pipe connected to a plurality of heat exchangers has a relatively short length.

These objects are achieved with an outdoor unit for a gas heat pump system according to independent claim <NUM>. Preferred aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

The heat exchanger may include a plate heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger may include an auxiliary heat exchanger or a supercooling heat exchanger.

The outdoor unit may further include a fixing bracket provided between the heat exchanger and the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank to stably support the heat exchanger.

The fixing bracket may include: a first part coupled to the heat exchanger; a second part coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank; and a bent part bent towards the second part from the first part.

The outdoor unit may further include a coupling member configured to pass through a coupling hole defined in the first part so as to be coupled to the heat exchanger so that the heat exchanger and the fixing bracket are firmly coupled to each other.

A first virtual line extending from an inner center (Co) of the storage tank to the first point of the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank and a second virtual line extending from the inner center (Co) of the storage tank to the second point of the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank may be angled at a predetermined angle (θ), and the predetermined angle (θ) may range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees to prevent a center of gravity of the storage tank from leaning to one side.

The heat exchanger is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank at an upper side of the partition wall to balance the center of gravity of the storage tank.

According to the gas heat pump system according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the heat exchanger is directly supported on the cycle component of the system, the separate frame for supporting the heat exchanger may not be required, and thus the outdoor unit may have the simple structure and be reduced in manufacturing cost.

In particular, since the heat exchanger is supported on the relatively heavy storage tank, the stably supported state of the heat exchanger may be realized.

In addition, since the fixing bracket is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank, and the heat exchanger is supported through the fixing bracket, the support structure of the heat exchanger may be easily realized.

In addition, since the plurality of heat exchangers are disposed on both sides of the support component, in the state in which the plurality of heat exchangers are supported on the storage tank, the effect of preventing the center of gravity of the storage tank from leaning to the one side may be realized. Accordingly, the vibration that is generated in the storage tank <NUM> may be reduced.

In addition, since the heat exchanger is directly supported by the cycle component, the spaced distance between the heat exchanger and other cycle components is short, and thus, the length of the refrigerant pipe or the cooling water pipe that connects the heat exchanger to the cycle component may be relatively short.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a cycle view illustrating a configuration of a gas heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a gas heat pump system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of components, which constitute a refrigeration cycle of an air-conditioning system. In detail, in the refrigerant cycle, a compressor <NUM> compressing a refrigerant and a four-way valve <NUM> that switches a direction of the refrigerant compressed in the compressor <NUM> are provided.

The gas heat pump system <NUM> further includes an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> and an indoor unit <NUM>. The indoor unit <NUM> may include an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor expansion device. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> may be provided in an outdoor unit disposed at an outdoor side, and the indoor heat exchanger may be provided in the indoor unit disposed at an indoor side. The refrigerant passing through the four-way valve <NUM> may flow to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> or the indoor heat exchanger according to an operation mode.

In detail, when the system <NUM> operate in a cooling operation mode, the refrigerant passing through the four-way valve <NUM> flows toward the indoor unit <NUM> via the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>. On the other hand, when the system <NUM> operates in a heating operation mode, the refrigerant passing through the four-way valve flows toward the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> via the indoor unit <NUM>.

The system <NUM> further includes a refrigerant pipe <NUM> that connects the compressor <NUM>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and the indoor unit <NUM> to each other to guide a flow of the refrigerant.

A configuration of the system <NUM> will be described based on the cooling operation mode.

The refrigerant flowing to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> may be condensed by being heat-exchanged with external air. An outdoor fan <NUM> that blows the external air is provided at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

A main expansion device <NUM> that depressurizes the refrigerant may be provided at an outlet-side of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>. For example, the main expansion device <NUM> may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV) that is adjustable in degree of opening. When the cooling operation is performed, the main expansion device <NUM> is fully opened, and thus, the refrigerant is not depressurized.

A supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>, which additionally cools the refrigerant, is provided at an outlet-side of the main expansion device <NUM>. A supercooling passage <NUM> is connected to the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>. The supercooling passage <NUM> is branched from the refrigerant pipe <NUM> and connected to the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>. The supercooling passage <NUM> may be referred to as a "branch pipe".

Also, a supercooling expansion device <NUM> is installed in the supercooling passage <NUM>. The refrigerant flowing through the supercooling passage <NUM> may be depressurized while passing through the supercooling expansion device <NUM>. When the supercooling expansion device <NUM> is closed, the flow of the refrigerant may be restricted in the supercooling passage <NUM>. For example, the main expansion device <NUM> may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV) that is adjustable in degree of opening.

In the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>, heat exchange may be performed between a refrigerant (hereinafter, referred to as a main refrigerant) in the refrigerant pipe <NUM> and a refrigerant (hereinafter, referred to as a branch refrigerant) in the supercooling passage <NUM>. In the heat exchange process, the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe <NUM> is supercooled to absorb heat of the refrigerant in the supercooling passage <NUM>.

For example, the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> includes a plate heat exchanger. One or more main refrigerant passage and one or more branch refrigerant passage through which the branch refrigerant flows may be disposed to be stacked on each other in the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> so as to be heat-exchanged with each other.

The supercooling passage <NUM> is connected to the gas/liquid separator <NUM>. In detail, the supercooling passage <NUM> may be connected to one point of the second extension pipe <NUM>. The refrigerant in the supercooling passage <NUM> heat-exchanged in the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be introduced into the gas/liquid separator <NUM> of the storage tank <NUM>.

The refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe <NUM>, which passes through the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>, flows toward the indoor unit <NUM> and then is depressurized in the indoor expansion device and evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger. The indoor expansion device may be installed inside the indoor unit <NUM> and may be provided as the electronic expansion valve (EEV).

The refrigerant evaporated from the indoor heat exchanger may pass through the four-way valve <NUM> and may be introduced into the gas/liquid separator <NUM> via the first and second extension pipes <NUM> and <NUM>. In detail, the refrigerant passing through the four-way valve <NUM> may flow through the first extension pipe <NUM>, flow through the second extension pipe <NUM> from a third branch portion 171a, and be introduced into the gas/liquid separator <NUM>.

The first extension pipe <NUM> is understood as a portion of the refrigerant pipe <NUM> extending from the four-way valve <NUM> to an auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> and has the third branch portion 171a. Also, the second extension pipe <NUM> may be understood as a portion of the refrigerant pipe <NUM> extending from the third branch portion 171a to the gas/liquid separator <NUM>.

The auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> may be a heat exchanger that is capable of being heat-exchanged between a low-pressure refrigerant and high-temperature cooling water. For example, the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> may include a plate heat exchanger. For example, one or more refrigerant passage and one or more cooling water passage may be disposed to be stacked on each other in the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> so as to be heat-exchanged with each other.

The refrigerant pipe <NUM> further include a third extension pipe <NUM> extending from the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> to the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>. A fourth branch portion 173a may be provided in the third extension pipe <NUM>.

Also, the refrigerant pipe <NUM> further includes a fourth extension pipe <NUM> extending from the fourth branch portion 173a to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>. The main expansion device <NUM> may be installed in the fourth extension pipe <NUM>.

An auxiliary heat exchanger valve <NUM> may be installed in the first extension pipe <NUM>. For example, the auxiliary heat exchanger valve <NUM> includes an electronic expansion valve (EEV) capable of adjusting a degree of opening. When the heating operation is performed, the auxiliary heat exchanger valve <NUM> may be controlled to be closed so that the flow of the refrigerant to the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> is restricted. Thus, the refrigerant evaporated in the indoor unit <NUM> may pass to the gas/liquid separator <NUM> via the four-way valve <NUM>, the third branch 171a of the first extension pipe <NUM>, and the second extension pipe <NUM>.

When the refrigerant is introduced into the gas/liquid separator <NUM>, gaseous refrigerant is separated from the refrigerant, and the separated gas refrigerant may be suctioned into the compressor <NUM> via the suction pipe <NUM>. The suction pipe <NUM> may be understood as a refrigerant pipe extending from the gas/liquid separator <NUM> to the compressor <NUM>. For example, the suction pipe <NUM> may extend upward from a top surface of the gas/liquid separator <NUM> and may extend downward by being bent at least twice.

The gas heat pump system <NUM> further includes a storage tank <NUM> in which the refrigerant is stored. The storage tank <NUM> includes a case <NUM> defining an outer appearance thereof and a partition wall <NUM> provided inside the case <NUM> to partition an internal space of the case <NUM> into upper and lower spaces.

The upper space of the case <NUM>, which is partitioned by the partition wall <NUM>, defines a gas/liquid separator <NUM> in which a low-pressure refrigerant is stored. Also, the lower space of the case <NUM>, which is partitioned by the partition wall <NUM>, defines a receiver <NUM> in which a high-pressure refrigerant is stored. That is, the storage tank <NUM> may have a structure in which the gas/liquid separator and the receiver are integrated with each other to form one case <NUM>.

Since the liquid refrigerant is stored in the receiver <NUM>, and a two-phase refrigerant is stored in the gas/liquid separator <NUM>, a volume of the gas/liquid separator <NUM> may be larger than that of the receiver <NUM>. In other words, a height of the gas/liquid separator <NUM> may be greater than that of the receiver <NUM>.

The gas heat pump system <NUM> further includes a receiver inlet passage <NUM> that transfers the condensed refrigerant to the receiver <NUM>. The receiver inlet passage <NUM> may be branched from a pipe connecting the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> to the indoor unit <NUM> to extend to the receiver <NUM>. That is, the receiver inlet passage <NUM> may be connected to a lower portion of the case <NUM>.

In the receiver inlet passage <NUM>, a receiver inlet valve <NUM> that selectively allows the refrigerant flow in the receiver inlet passage <NUM> may be installed. For example, the receiver inlet valve <NUM> may include a solenoid valve that is capable of being controlled to turn on/off. When the receiver inlet valve <NUM> is opened, at least a portion of the refrigerant flowing from the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> to the indoor unit <NUM> or the refrigerant flowing from the indoor unit <NUM> to the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be introduced into the receiver <NUM> through the receiver inlet passage <NUM>. Due to the flow of the refrigerant, at least a portion of the refrigerant circulated in the system is stored in the receiver <NUM>.

A capillary tube <NUM> for adjusting an amount of refrigerant flowing through the receiver inlet passage <NUM> may be installed in the receiver inlet passage <NUM>. A diameter of the capillary tube <NUM> may be less than that of the refrigerant pipe <NUM> so that a flow rate of the refrigerant is reduced.

The gas heat pump system <NUM> further includes a receiver outlet passage <NUM> for transferring the refrigerant stored in the receiver <NUM> to the gas/liquid separator <NUM>. The receiver outlet passage <NUM> may extend upward from the receiver <NUM> and be connected to the gas/liquid separator <NUM>. That is, the receiver outlet passage <NUM> may be connected to an upper portion of the case <NUM>, for example, a top surface of the case <NUM>.

A receiver outlet valve 139a that selectively allows the refrigerant flow in the receiver outlet passage <NUM> may be installed in the receiver outlet passage <NUM>. For example, the receiver outlet valve 139a may include a solenoid valve capable of being controlled to turn on/off. When the receiver outlet valve 139a is opened, the high-pressure refrigerant stored in the receiver <NUM> may flow to the gas/liquid separator <NUM> that provides a low pressure.

The refrigerant introduced into the gas/liquid separator <NUM> may be reintroduced into the system and then circulated. The refrigerant stored in the receiver <NUM> has a relatively high-temperature and high-pressure, and the refrigerant stored in the gas/liquid separator <NUM> has a relatively low-temperature and low-pressure. The refrigerant stored in the gas/liquid separator <NUM> may be vaporized by being heat-exchanged with the refrigerant stored in the receiver <NUM> through the partition wall <NUM>. Also, the vaporized refrigerant may be discharged from the gas/liquid separator <NUM> so as to be circulated in the system.

The gas heat pump system <NUM> further includes an engine <NUM> that generates power by burning a mixture of a fuel and air and a power transmission device <NUM> that transmits the power generated by the engine <NUM> to the compressor <NUM>. For example, the power transmission device <NUM> may include a pulley and a belt.

The gas heat pump system <NUM> further includes a cooling water pipe <NUM> through which cooling water for cooling the engine <NUM> flows. A cooling water pump <NUM> that generates flow force of the cooling water, a plurality of flow switching portions <NUM> and <NUM> that switch a flow direction of the cooling water, and a radiator <NUM> that cools the cooling water may be installed in the cooling water pipe <NUM>.

The plurality of flow switching portions <NUM> and <NUM> include a first flow switching portion <NUM> disposed at an outlet-side of the engine <NUM> and a second flow switching portion <NUM> connected to the first flow switching portion <NUM>. For example, each of the first flow switching portion <NUM> and the second flow switching portion <NUM> may include a three-way valve.

The radiator <NUM> may be installed at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and the cooling water passing through the radiator <NUM> may be heat-exchanged with external air by driving the outdoor fan <NUM>. In this process, the refrigerant may be cooled. For example, when the cooling operation is performed, the cooling water may be cooled through the radiator <NUM>.

When the cooling water pump <NUM> is driven, the cooling water may pass through the engine <NUM> and an exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM>, which will be described later, and then pass through the first flow switching portion <NUM> and the second flow switching portion <NUM> to selectively flow to the radiator <NUM> or the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM>.

The gas heat pump system <NUM> further include an engine <NUM> generating power for driving the compressor <NUM> and an exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM> which is provided at an outlet-side of the engine <NUM> and into which an exhaust gas generated after the mixed fuel is burned is introduced. In the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM>, heat exchange may be performed between the cooling water and the exhaust gas.

The cooling water pipe <NUM> includes a first pipe <NUM> extending from the radiator <NUM> toward the engine <NUM>. In detail, the first pipe <NUM> may include a first pipe portion extending from the radiator <NUM> to the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM> and a second pipe portion extending from the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM> to the engine <NUM>. The cooling water pump <NUM> that forces the flow of the refrigerant may be installed in the first pipe portion. The cooling water flowing through the first pipe <NUM> is heat-exchanged with the exhaust gas while passing through the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM> and then is introduced into the engine <NUM> to collect waste heat of the engine <NUM>. In this process, the cooling water may absorb heat.

The cooling water pipe <NUM> further includes a second pipe <NUM> that guides the cooling water passing through the engine <NUM> to the first flow switching portion <NUM>. The second pipe <NUM> is understood as a pipe extending from the outlet-side of the engine <NUM> to a first port of the first flow switching portion <NUM>.

The cooling water pipe <NUM> further includes a third pipe <NUM> that guides the cooling water from the first flow switching portion <NUM> to the second flow switching portion <NUM>. The third pipe <NUM> is understood as a pipe extending from a second port of the first flow switching portion <NUM> to a first port of the second flow switching portion <NUM>.

The cooling water pipe <NUM> further includes a fourth pipe <NUM> that guides the cooling water from the second flow switching portion <NUM> to the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM>. The fourth pipe <NUM> extends from the second port of the second flow switching portion <NUM> to the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> and then passes through the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> to extend to the first point of the first pipe <NUM>.

The cooling water pipe <NUM> further includes a fifth pipe <NUM> that guides the cooling water from the second flow switching portion <NUM> to the radiator <NUM>. The fifth pipe <NUM> may extend from a third port of the second flow switching portion <NUM> to the radiator <NUM>. The fifth pipe <NUM> is connected to the first pipe <NUM>.

The cooling water pipe <NUM> further includes a sixth pipe <NUM> that guides the cooling water from the first flow switching portion <NUM> to the first pipe <NUM>. The sixth pipe <NUM> may be understood as a pipe extending from a third port of the first flow switching portion <NUM> and coupled to the second point of the first pipe <NUM>.

For example, when a temperature of the cooling water passing through the engine <NUM> is below a predetermined temperature, an effect of being heat-exchanged with the refrigerant by allowing the cooling water to flow to the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> or the radiator <NUM> may be insignificant. Thus, the cooling water introduced into the first port of the first flow switching portion <NUM> may be bypassed to the first pipe <NUM> through the sixth pipe <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an internal configuration of the outdoor unit of the gas heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the storage tank and the heat exchanger are installed on the base of the outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the gas heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the outdoor unit in which a plurality of components are installed. Other components except for the indoor unit <NUM> may be installed in the outdoor unit based on the cycle diagram illustrated in <FIG>.

The outdoor unit includes a base <NUM> and a plurality of components installed on a top surface of the base <NUM>. The plurality of components may include a compressor <NUM>, an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, a high-cooling heat exchanger <NUM>, an auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM>, an engine <NUM>, an exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM>, and a cooling water pump <NUM>. Also, a refrigerant pipe <NUM> and a cooling water pipe <NUM>, which connect the plurality of components to each other may be further installed in the outdoor unit.

A base leg <NUM> supporting the base <NUM> may be provided below the base <NUM>. A plurality of base legs <NUM> may be provided. The plurality of base legs <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction of the base <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, components through which the mixed fuel, the exhaust gas, the cooling water, and the like flow, such as the engine <NUM>, the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM>, and the cooling water pump <NUM> may be disposed at one side of an upper portion of the base <NUM>. For example, the components may be disposed at a right side of the top surface of the base <NUM>.

On the other hand, the cycle component for circulating the refrigerant, i.e., the components such as the compressor (not shown), the storage tank <NUM>, the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>, and the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> may be disposed at the other side of the upper portion of the base <NUM>. Also, the refrigerant pipe <NUM> connecting the components to each other may also be mainly disposed at the other side of the upper portion of the base <NUM>.

The cooling water pipe <NUM> connecting the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM>, the engine <NUM>, the exhaust gas heat exchanger <NUM>, and the cooling water pump <NUM> to each other may lengthily extend in the left-right direction of the base <NUM>.

Also, the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> and the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> are configured to be supported on an outer surface of the storage tank <NUM>.

In the case of the outdoor unit of the gas heat pump system according to the related art, there is a problem that, since a frame is provided at an edge of the base, and the heat exchanger is supported on the frame, a distance between the heat exchanger and the engine relatively increases, and thus, the cooling water pipe has to increase in length. Also, there is a problem that a distance between the heat exchanger and each of other components of the refrigerant cycle also increases, and thus, the refrigerant pipe has also to increase.

In this embodiment, since the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> and the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> are directly supported on the storage tank <NUM>, there is an effect that this problem is solved.

Referring to <FIG>, the storage tank <NUM> may be supported on the top surface of the base <NUM>. The storage tank <NUM> includes a case <NUM> having a cylindrical shape and defining a refrigerant storage space, an upper cap 161a coupled to an upper side of the case <NUM>, and a lower cap 161b coupled to a lower portion of the case <NUM>. The upper cap 161a defines a top surface of the storage tank <NUM>, and the lower cap 161b defines a lower surface of the storage tank <NUM>.

A first inflow port 160a that guides an inflow of the refrigerant into the gas/liquid separator <NUM> and a first outflow port 160b that guides an outflow of the gas refrigerant, which is separated in the gas/liquid separator <NUM>, from the storage tank <NUM> are provided in the upper cap 161a.

A second outflow port 160c connected to one side of the receiver outlet passage <NUM> is provided in an outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM>. Also, a second inflow port 160d connected to the other side of the receiver outlet passage <NUM> is provided in the upper cap 161a. The refrigerant of the receiver <NUM> may be discharged through the second outflow port <NUM> and flows through the receiver outlet passage <NUM> and be introduced into the gas/liquid separator <NUM> through the second inflow port 160d.

The storage tank <NUM> includes a tank leg <NUM> provided on the lower portion of the case <NUM> and coupled to the base <NUM>. The tank leg <NUM> may be coupled to the lower cap 161b.

A plurality of tank legs <NUM> are provided, and the plurality of tank legs <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other along a circumference of the lower cap 161b so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction. For example, the plurality of tank legs <NUM> may include four tank legs <NUM>.

Each of the tank legs <NUM> has a bent shape, a first part of the tank leg <NUM> is coupled to the base <NUM>, and a second part is coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the lower cap 161b.

The heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> are supported on the storage tank <NUM>. The heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> include the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> and the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM>. The auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> may be supported on the storage tank <NUM> by a first fixing bracket <NUM>, and the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be supported on the storage tank <NUM> by a second fixing bracket <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views illustrating a configuration of a tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating configurations of the storage tank, the fixing bracket, and the tank leg according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention further include the storage tank <NUM> in which the refrigerant is stored, the plurality of heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> supported on the storage tank <NUM>, and first and second fixing brackets <NUM> and <NUM> extending from an outer circumferential surface of the storage tank <NUM> to the plurality of heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM>.

The first fixing bracket <NUM> is disposed between the first point on the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank <NUM> and the first heat exchanger <NUM>. Also, the second fixing bracket <NUM> is disposed between the second point on the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank <NUM> and the second heat exchanger <NUM>.

The plurality of heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled to be supported on both sides of the storage tank <NUM> by the first and second fixing brackets <NUM> and <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> includes the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM>. For convenience of description, the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> may be referred to as a "first heat exchanger". The auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> includes a heat exchange body <NUM> having a substantially hexahedral shape and a plurality of input/output ports provided in the heat exchange body <NUM>.

The plurality of input/output ports include a refrigerant port and a cooling water port. For example, the refrigerant port may be provided in one surface of the heat exchange body <NUM>, and the cooling water port may be provided in the other surface of the heat exchange body <NUM>. The one surface and the other surface may be surfaces facing each other.

The refrigerant port includes a refrigerant inflow port 151a into which the refrigerant is introduced and a refrigerant outflow port 151b from which the heat-exchanged refrigerant is discharged. Also, the cooling water port includes a cooling water inflow port 152a into which the cooling water is introduced and a cooling water outflow port 152b from which the heat-exchanged cooling water is discharged.

The auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> may be coupled to the first fixing bracket <NUM>. In detail, the first fixing bracket <NUM> may have a plate shape, and a portion between a part coupled to the storage tank <NUM> and a part coupled to the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> may have a bent shape.

A first coupling member <NUM> may be coupled to the first fixing bracket <NUM>. The first coupling member <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the heat exchange body <NUM> provided with the refrigerant port. Also, a first coupling hole <NUM> to which the first coupling member <NUM> is coupled may be defined in the first fixing bracket <NUM>. For example, the first coupling member <NUM> may include a bolt and a nut.

The first coupling members <NUM> may be provided in plurality. For example, in order to stably support the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM>, the first coupling member <NUM> may be provided with four, arranged in a matrix form having two rows and two columns, and coupled to the first fixing bracket <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> include the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>. For convenience of description, the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be referred to as a "second heat exchanger". The supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> includes a heat exchange body <NUM> having a substantially hexahedral shape and a plurality of input/output ports provided in the heat exchange body <NUM>.

The plurality of input/output ports include first and second refrigerant ports through which the main refrigerant is introduced and discharged and third and fourth refrigerant ports through which the branch refrigerant is introduced and discharged. For example, the first and second refrigerant ports may be provided in one surface of the heat exchange body <NUM>, and the third and fourth refrigerant ports may be provided in the other surface of the heat exchange body <NUM>. The one surface and the other surface may be surfaces facing each other.

The first and second refrigerant ports include a main refrigerant inflow port 131a into which the main refrigerant is introduced and a main refrigerant outflow port 151b from which the heat exchanged main refrigerant is discharged. Also, the third and fourth refrigerant ports include a branch refrigerant inflow port 132a into which the branch refrigerant is introduced and a branch refrigerant outflow port 132b from which the heat-exchanged branch refrigerant is discharged.

The supercooling heat exchanger <NUM> may be coupled to the second fixing bracket <NUM>. In detail, the second fixing bracket <NUM> may have a plate shape, and a portion between a part coupled to the storage tank <NUM> and a part coupled to the auxiliary heat exchanger <NUM> may have a bent shape.

A second coupling member <NUM> may be coupled to the second fixing bracket <NUM>. The second coupling member <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the heat exchange body <NUM> provided with the first and second refrigerant ports. Also, a second coupling hole <NUM> to which the second coupling member <NUM> is coupled may be defined in the second coupling bracket <NUM>. For example, the second coupling member <NUM> may include a bolt and a nut.

The second coupling member <NUM> may be provided in plurality. For example, in order to stably support the supercooling heat exchanger <NUM>, the second coupling member <NUM> may be provided with four, arranged in a matrix form having two rows and two columns, and coupled to the second fixing bracket <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is an exploded view illustrating configurations of the storage tank and the fixing bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first and second heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention may be coupled to both sides of the storage tank <NUM>. That is, the first and second fixing brackets <NUM> and <NUM> supporting the first and second heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on both sides of the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM>.

In detail, the tank leg <NUM> includes at least four tank legs. The four tank legs include a first leg 168a, a second leg 168b, a third leg 168c, and a fourth leg 168d. The first to fourth legs are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction based on the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM> or the lower cap 161b.

A first reference line ℓ1 connecting the first and second legs 168a and 168b to each other and a second reference line ℓ2 connecting the third and fourth legs 168c and 168d to each other may pass through an inner center Co of the case <NUM> or the lower cap 161b.

The first and fourth legs 168a and 168d and the second and third legs 168b and 168c may be disposed on both sides of a third reference line ℓ3 extending from the inner center Co of the case <NUM> toward the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM>.

Also, the first fixing bracket <NUM> may be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM> provided on one side of the third reference line ℓ3, and the second fixing bracket <NUM> may be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM> provided on the other side of the third reference line ℓ3. According to this configuration, since the first and second heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> supported by the first and second fixing brackets <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed on both the sides of the storage tank <NUM>, a center of gravity of the storage tank <NUM> may be prevented from leaning to one side. As a result, the first and second heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> may be stably supported on the storage tank <NUM>.

The first fixing bracket <NUM> may have a bent shape. In detail, the first fixing bracket <NUM> includes a first part <NUM> coupled to the first heat exchanger <NUM>, a second part <NUM> coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank <NUM>, and a bent part 452a bent from the first part <NUM> toward the second part <NUM>. Due to the configuration of the first fixing bracket <NUM>, the first heat exchanger <NUM> having the hexahedral shape and the storage tank <NUM> having the cylindrical outer circumferential surface may be easily coupled to each other.

The second fixing bracket <NUM> may have a bent shape. In detail, the second fixing bracket <NUM> includes a first part <NUM> coupled to the second heat exchanger <NUM>, a second part <NUM> coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank <NUM>, and a bent part 462a bent from the first part <NUM> toward the second part <NUM>. Due to the configuration of the second fixing bracket <NUM>, the second heat exchanger <NUM> having the hexahedral shape and the storage tank <NUM> having the cylindrical outer circumferential surface may be easily coupled to each other.

A first virtual line extending radially from the inner center Co of the case <NUM> to the first point on the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM> to which the central portion of the second part <NUM> of the first fixing bracket <NUM> is coupled and a second virtual line radially from the inner center Co of the case <NUM> to the second point on the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM> to which the central portion of the second part <NUM> of the second fixing bracket <NUM> is coupled may be angled at a predetermined angle θ. For example, the predetermined angle θ may range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating installed positions of the storage tank and the plurality of heat exchangers according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the storage tank <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention has a first height Ho with respect to the base <NUM>. Also, the partition wall <NUM> may has a height less than <NUM>/<NUM> of the first height Ho. Therefore, the gas/liquid separator <NUM> may have a height greater than that of the receiver <NUM>.

The first heat exchanger <NUM> is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the upper portion of the storage tank <NUM>, i.e., the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM> defining the gas/liquid separator <NUM>. In detail, the bottom surface of the first heat exchanger <NUM> has a second height H1 with respect to the base <NUM>, and the top surface of the first heat exchanger <NUM> has a third height H2. For example, the third height H2 may be greater than the first height Ho or the same as the first height Ho.

The second heat exchanger <NUM> is coupled to an outer circumferential surface of a substantially central portion of the storage tank <NUM>, i.e., the outer circumferential surface of the case <NUM> defining the gas/liquid separator <NUM>. Also, the second heat exchanger <NUM> is disposed at a position higher than the partition wall <NUM>. In detail, the bottom surface of the second heat exchanger <NUM> has a fourth height H3 with respect to the base <NUM>, and the top surface of the second heat exchanger <NUM> has a fifth height H4. The fourth height H3 is less than the second height H1, and the fifth height H4 may be less than the third height H2.

Since a liquid refrigerant is stored in the receiver <NUM>, the refrigerant has a relatively heavy weight, and since a two-phase refrigerant is stored in the gas/liquid separator <NUM>, the refrigerant may be a relatively light weight. That is, in the state in which the first and second heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> are not coupled to each other, the center of gravity of the storage tank <NUM> is positioned below an intermediate height of the storage tank <NUM>.

Therefore, the first and second heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed so that the center of gravity is formed at a position higher than the central portion of the storage tank <NUM> to prevent the center of gravity of the storage tank <NUM> from leaning to an upper or lower side of the storage tank <NUM>. Also, due to this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the vibration that may be generated in the storage tank <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An outdoor unit for a gas heat pump system, said outdoor unit comprising:
a base (<NUM>);
a compressor (<NUM>) installed on the base (<NUM>);
a storage tank (<NUM>) provided at a suction-side of the compressor (<NUM>) to store a refrigerant to be supplied to the compressor (<NUM>);
a refrigerant pipe (<NUM>) configured to connect the compressor (<NUM>) to the storage tank (<NUM>), the refrigerant pipe (<NUM>) being configured to guide a flow of the refrigerant;
an engine (<NUM>) which is installed on the base (<NUM>) to provide power that drives the compressor (<NUM>) and in which a mixed fuel of a fuel and air is burned;
a cooling water pipe (<NUM>) configured to guide a flow of cooling water that cools the engine; and
a heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe (<NUM>) is heat-exchanged, or the cooling water flowing through the cooling water pipe (<NUM>) is heat-exchanged,
characterized in that
the storage tank (<NUM>) comprises:
a case (<NUM>) in which a refrigerant storage space is defined;
a partition wall (<NUM>) disposed inside the case (<NUM>) to partition the refrigerant storage space into an upper space and a lower space; and
a gas/liquid separator provided at the suction-side of the compressor to separate a gas refrigerant of the refrigerant is defined in the upper space;
a receiver (<NUM>) configured to store a liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant is defined in the lower space,
wherein the heat exchanger comprises first and second heat exchangers (<NUM>, <NUM>),
the first and second heat exchangers (<NUM>, <NUM>) are coupled to both sides of the outer circumferential surface of the storage tank (<NUM>) and are provided above the partition wall (<NUM>).