Refrigeration apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12031759-B2
Application number	US-202318468243-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 15, 2023
Priority date	Mar 31, 2021
Publication date	Jul 9, 2024
Grant date	Jul 9, 2024

Abstract

A refrigeration apparatus includes: a refrigerant flow path unit that comprises plates stacked together, and in which a refrigerant flow path is disposed; first components that are functional components each including a driving unit; second components other than functional components; and a casing accommodating the refrigerant flow path unit, and the first and second components. The first components and the second components constitute a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant flow path unit: has a first surface and a second surface on both sides in a normal direction of the plates, and is disposed in the casing in a posture with the first surface and the second surface being upstanding. The first components are connected to the first surface. The second components are connected to the second surface. The refrigerant flow path unit includes joint tubes that connect pipes linked to the second components.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
a refrigerant flow path unit:
that comprises plates stacked together, and
in which a refrigerant flow path is disposed;

first components that are functional components that are valves each comprising a driver;
second components other than the functional components, wherein the first components and the second components constitute a refrigerant circuit; and
a casing accommodating:
the refrigerant flow path unit, and
the first and second components, wherein

the refrigerant flow path unit:
has a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides in a normal direction of the plates, and
is disposed in the casing in a posture with the first surface and the second surface being upstanding,

the first components are connected to the first surface,
the second components are connected to the second surface,
the refrigerant flow path unit comprises joint tubes that connect pipes linked to the second components,
each of the joint tubes has:
a first end connected to the second surface; and
a second end directed upward,

each of the pipes is inserted into the second end of a corresponding joint tube of the joint tubes,
a brazing filler material disposed between an outer circumferential surface of each of the pipes and an inner circumferential surface of each of the joint tubes joins the outer circumferential surface of each of the pipes to the inner circumferential surface of each of the joint tubes, and
the driver of each of the first components is disposed not to overlap with the driver of any other one of the first components when viewed:
from above, or
from a direction horizontal and parallel to the first and second surfaces.

2. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first components are supported by the refrigerant flow path unit.

3. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein one of the second components is a compressor supported by the casing.

4. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the compressor is disposed closer to the second surface than to the first surface.

5. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first components is a flow path switching valve.

6. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the casing has a side surface having an opening for maintenance,
the casing includes a side plate configured to close the opening and that is detachable, and
the first surface and the second surface are directed to cross the side plate.

7. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
the first components include a first functional component and a second functional component that are supported by the refrigerant flow path unit,
the first functional component and the second functional component each comprise a maintenance target part, and
the maintenance target part of the first functional component is disposed not to overlap with the maintenance target part of the second functional component when viewed from the opening.

8. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein
the first functional component and the second functional component are flow path switching valves, and
drivers of the flow path switching valves are each the maintenance target part.

9. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the first components include a first functional component and a second functional component that are supported by the refrigerant flow path unit,
the first functional component and the second functional component each comprise a maintenance target part, and
the maintenance target part of the first functional component is disposed not to overlap with the maintenance target part of the second functional component when viewed from above.

10. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein
each of the first functional component and the second functional component is an electric valve or an electromagnetic valve, and
a driver of the electric valve or the electromagnetic valve is the maintenance target part.

11. The refrigeration apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a heat exchanger accommodated in the casing and including a header, wherein
the header is connected to one of the first surface and the second surface that is closer to the header.

Assignees

• Daikin Ind Ltd

Inventors

• Hamadate Junichi
• Koike Fumiaki
• Yakura Naritaka
• Ono Asahi
• Kubo Ayumi
• Okuno Masato

Classifications

• F24F1/30

  for use inside the separate outdoor units · CPC title

• F25B41/40 Primary

  Fluid line arrangements · CPC title

• F25B1/00 Primary

  Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle (F25B3/00, F25B5/00, F25B6/00, F25B7/00, F25B9/00 take precedence) · CPC title

• F25B41/30

  Expansion means; Dispositions thereof · CPC title

• F25B41/42

  Arrangements for diverging or converging flows, e.g. branch lines or junctions · CPC title