WO2013069063A1

WO2013069063A1 - Sorption air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2013069063A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/006298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shouichi Tanaka
Original assignee: THREE EYE CO Ltd
Current assignee: THREE EYE CO Ltd
Priority date: 2011-11-10
Filing date: 2011-11-10
Publication date: 2013-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2014-05-10

Abstract

A sorption air conditioner of batch-processing is capable of executing a cooling mode, a warming mode and a heat-keeping operation. The batch-process is executed by means of changing contact states between containers and heat-transferring members by means of the moving periodically of at least one of the containers, heat-transferring members and projections for transferring the heat between the members and the containers. The sorbate container is disposed at lower position than the sorbent container.

Description

SORPTION AIR CONDITIONER

Cross-Reference to related application

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.119 of PCT/JP2010/003273 filed on May/14/2010, the title of SORPTION TYPE COOLER, the entire content of which is incorporated herein reference.

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sorption air conditioner, in particular to a solar sorption air conditioner of batch-type.

Description of the Related Art
The sorption cooler employing liquid absorbent or solid adsorbent is proposed in prior patent applications. The sorption includes both of absorption and adsorption. U. S. Patent No. 5,768,098 proposes an adsorption cooler with an adsorbent container and a sorbate container communicated with a vapor conduit. U. S. Patent No. 4,034,569 proposes a solar adsorption cooler.

The sorption cooler can be driven with batch processing. The batch-type sorption cooler executes a cooling mode and a regeneration mode alternately. In the cooling mode, the radiated sorbent container adsorbs vapor medium given off from the heated sorbate container. In the regeneration mode, the radiated sorbate container condenses the vapor medium given off from the heated sorbent container.

In order to execute the batch processing, two sorption coolers are operated complimentarily. Accordingly, the two sorption coolers generate the cold-heat alternately. In the other words, the heating mode and the radiating mode of the sorbent container are executed alternately. Similarly, the radiating mode and the heat-absorbing mode of the sorbate container are executed alternately.

In prior arts, above the mode-changing is generally operated by means of changing fluid passages. However, above the changing of the fluid passages generates large sensible heat loss, because the containers must have an indirect heat exchanger with large sensitive heat capacity.

Japan unexamined patent publication 2010-112592 applied by the inventor proposes heat-transferring system without using the fluid. The heat is transferred by means of swinging or reciprocating solid members periodically. Figures 2 and 4 of 592' publication shows the heat-transferring members of the swinging type. Figure 8 of 592' publication shows the heat-transferring members of the reciprocating type. Accordingly, the sorption cooler can have simple structure. According to 592' publication, the sorbate container must be arranged near the sorbent container across a radiating member. The radiating member comes in contact with the sorbate container and the sorbent container alternately.

However, it is considered that the solar heat sorption cooler of 592' publication has a problem that a solar heat must transfer downward to the sorption cooler disposed at a lower position than the solar heat panel, because the solar heat panel is generally fixed on a roof, which is a top position of the house or a building. Next, a construction cost and a maintenance cost of prior solar sorption coolers become high, because fluid system is required in order to transfer the solar heat to the sorption cooler disposed at lower position than the solar heat panel.

The solar sorption cooler can employ a latent-heat-transferring system for transferring the solar heat. According to the latent-heat-transferring system, steam generated by the higher solar heat panel is condensed in the lower sorption cooler disposed near the room. However, a motor pump is needed in order to rise up the condensed water from the lower sorption cooler to the higher solar heat panel.

In order to solve above the solar-heat-transferring problem, 592' publication employs the sorption cooler arranged backside of the solar heat panel. However, a pair of the solar heat panel and the sorption cooler gives heavy weight to the roof. It is not easy to support the large and heavy device on the roof. Further, the roof-type solar sorption cooler of 592' publication can not transfer the warm-heat to the room by means of the latent heat transmission system in order to abbreviate a motor-driven pump.

U. S. Patent No. 5,768,098 U. S. Patent No. 4,034,569 Japan unexamined patent publication 2010-112592

It is an object of the invention to provide a sorption air conditioner with simple structure and simple operation. It is another object of the invention to provide a solar sorption air conditioner with simple structure and simple operation. It is another object of the invention to provide a simple sorption air conditioner capable of executing both of cooling operation and warming operation. It is another object of the invention to provide a simple sorption air conditioner capable of keeping an accumulated latent heat.

The sorption air conditioner of changing solid-contact states periodically has two pairs of a sorbent container and a sorbate container for executing batch-processing. Two sorbate containers generate an air-conditioning heat alternately. Each container comes in contact with two kinds of heat-transferring members alternately in order to transferring the heat continuously.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the sorbate container is disposed at a lower position in comparison with the sorbent container. The sorption air conditioner with simple structure is capable of transferring the heat vertically (upward and downward).

According to a preferred embodiment, the sorbent container getting a solar heat in order to regenerate the sorbent is disposed on a roof. The sorbate container for generating a heat for the air-conditioning is disposed under the roof, for example a ground position or a wall position. The heat for the air-conditioning can be transferred vertically without a motor-pump or other heat-transferring device. Further, a roof portion of the solar air conditioner can have a reduced weight and reduced sizes.

According to another preferred embodiment, the roof portion of the solar sorption air conditioner has a solar heat member, the sorbent containers and an upper radiating member arranged vertically in turn. The roof portion can have simple structure.

According to another preferred embodiment, a first sorbent container and a second sorbent container is arranged alternately and in parallel. The roof portion can have simple structure.

According to another preferred embodiment, the heat-absorbing member for generating the air-conditioning heat is connected to a closed refrigerant circuit of an electric air conditioner with a compressor. An electric power fee for driving the electric air conditioner can be saved. Furthermore, a heat-transferring apparatus for transferring the heat from the heat-absorbing member to a room is abbreviated.

According to another preferred embodiment, the heat-absorbing member is connected in series to an adjacent inner indirect heat exchanger of the electric air conditioner. The heat-absorbing member can assist the electric air conditioner in both of a cooling mode and a warming mode.

According to another preferred embodiment and another aspect of the invention, the sorption air conditioner further has both of the cooling mode and the warming mode.

According to another preferred embodiment and another aspect of the invention, the sorption air conditioner has a heat-keeping mode for accumulating a latent heat in the containers. In the heat-keeping mode, all of the containers keep positions separated from all of the heat-transferring members. The sorption air conditioner using the solar heat can executes the air conditioning in the night.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the solar air conditioner of the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the roof portion of the sorption air conditioner. Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the roof portion of the sorption air conditioner. Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a ground portion of the sorption air conditioner. Figure 5 is a schematic view showing a ground portion of the sorption air conditioner. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-section showing an arranged roof portion of the second embodiment. Figure 7 is a side view showing one sorbent container. Figures 8 is a schematic cross-section showing arranged roof portion. Figures 9 is a schematic cross-section showing arranged roof portion. Figure 10 is a horizontal cross-section showing another ground portion of the third embodiment. Figure 11 is a schematic view showing the solar air conditioner of the fourth embodiment. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an electric air cooler with a heat-absorbing member of the fifth embodiment. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing an electric air warmer with a heat-absorbing member of the sixth embodiment. Figure 14 is a block diagram showing arranged electric air conditioner with a heat-absorbing member connected in series to an adjacent outer indirect heat exchanger. Figure 15 is a block diagram showing another arranged electric air conditioner with a heat-absorbing member connected in series to an adjacent outer indirect heat exchanger. Figure 16 is a block diagram showing another arranged electric air conditioner with a heat-absorbing member connected in parallel to an outer indirect heat exchanger.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

First Embodiment
A first embodiment of a solar sorption air conditioner is explained referring to Figures 1-6. Figure 1 is a schematic view of the solar air conditioner. The solar air conditioner has a solar heat panel 1, a first sorbent container 2A, a second sorbent container 2B, an upper radiation member 3, a first vapor conduit 4A, a second vapor conduit 4B, a first sorbate container 5A, a second sorbate container 5B, a first lower radiation member 6A, a second lower radiation member 6B and a heat-absorbing member 7. Further, the solar air conditioner has an upper radiating fan 8A, a lower radiating fan 8B, a room fan 8C, an additional indirect heat exchanger 9, an upper actuator 10A, an lower actuator 10B and a controller 10C.

The solar heat panel 1 is made of a flat metal plate fixed on the upper radiation member 3 via heat-insulation members (not shown). Solar heat panel 1 and upper radiation member 3, which are arranged in parallel to each other, are arranged diagonally as shown in Figure 1.

Upper radiation member 3 has an upper plate 31 and a lower plate 32, which are made of a flat metal plate each. The upper plate 31 and a lower plate 32 are connected to each other with many fins 33 extending vertically and diagonally. Upper radiation member 3 has many wind passages 34 separated to each other with fins 33. Upper radiation member 3 is cooled (radiated) by cooling wind passing through the wind passages 34. The cooling wind is generated by the upper radiating fan 8A.

The first sorbent container 2A and the second sorbent container 2B are arranged between solar heat panel 1 and upper radiation member 3. Each of

sorbent containers

2A and 2B accommodates an adsorption member capable of adsorbing sorbate vapor medium, for example steam. For example, the adsorption member consists of zeolite layers including metal fivers.

A vertical width of a space between a bottom plate of solar heat panel 1 and upper plate 31 of upper radiation member 3 is wider than a vertical width of

sorbent containers

2A and 2B.

Sorbent containers

2A and 2B can move vertically. The upper actuator 10A moves

sorbent containers

2A and 2B vertically and periodically. A position of sorbent container 2A is opposite to a position of sorbent container 2B. In the other words, upper actuator 10A drives

sorbent containers

2A and 2B reversely.

In Figure 1, sorbent container 2A comes in contact with a back surface of solar heat panel 1. Sorbent container 2B comes in contact with a top surface of upper plate 31 of upper radiation member 3. Accordingly, sorbent container 2A is heated, and sorbent container 2B is radiated. Sorbent container 2A comes in contact with the top surface of upper plate 31, when sorbent container 2B comes in contact with the back surface of solar heat panel 1. Sorbent container 2B is heated, and sorbent container 2A is radiated.

The first vapor conduit 4A communicates the first sorbent container 2A and the first sorbate container 5A. The second vapor conduit 4B communicates the second sorbent container 2B and the second sorbate container 5B. Top portions of

conduits

4A and 4B have an elastic portion (not shown) capable of moving vertically each. Similarly, Bottom portions of

conduits

4A and 4B have an elastic portion (not shown) capable of moving horizontally (left-right direction) each.

The first sorbate container 5A is arranged between the first lower radiation member 6A and the heat-absorbing member 7. The second sorbate container 5B is arranged between the second lower radiation member 6B and heat-absorbing member 7. The first lower radiation member 6A, the first sorbate container 5A, the heat-absorbing member 7, the second sorbate container 5B and the second lower radiation member 6B are arranged horizontally in turn from left to right.

A horizontal width of a space between the first lower radiation member 6A and heat-absorbing member 7 is wider than a horizontal width of the first sorbate container 5A. Similarly, a horizontal width of a space between the second lower radiation member 6B and heat-absorbing member 7 is wider than a horizontal width of the second sorbate container 5B.

Sorbate containers

5A and 5B can move horizontally in the left-right direction. The lower actuator 10B moves

sorbate containers

5A and 5B horizontally and periodically in the left-right direction. A position of sorbate containers 5A is opposite to a position of sorbate container 5B. In the other words, upper actuator 10B drives

sorbate containers

5A and 5B reversely.

In Figure 1, sorbate container 5A comes in contact with heat-absorbing member 7. Sorbate container 5B comes in contact with the second lower radiation member 6B. Sorbate container 5A comes in contact with the first lower radiation member 6A, when sorbate container 5B comes in contact with heat-absorbing member 7.

Sorbate containers

5A and 5B accumulate aluminium fivers each.

Lower radiation members

6A and 6B have many fins each.

Lower radiation members

6A and 6B are cooled (radiated) with air wind passing through wind passages among fins of

lower radiation members

6A and 6B. The air wind is generated by the radiating fan 8B.

Sorbate containers

5A and 5B exchange heat with heat-absorbing member 7 alternately. Air wind R. A. passing through wind passages in heat-absorbing member 7 is generated by the room fan 8C. The air wind R. A. is supplied to a room of the house via the additional indirect heat exchanger 9 of an electric air conditioner with a compressor. The controller 10C controls actuator 10A and 10B in accordance with temperatures detected from predetermined points of the sorption air conditioner.

One operation of the sorption air conditioner is explained referring Figures 2-5. Figures 2 and 3 are schematic views showing the roof portion of the sorption air conditioner each. Figures 4 and 5 are schematic views showing a ground portion of the sorption air conditioner each. Controller 10C has a cooling mode and a warming mode.

In the cooling mode, positions P1 shown in Figure 2 and positions P4 shown in Figure 5 are executed in a first period. Positions P2 shown in Figure 3 and positions P3 shown in Figure 4 are executed in a second period. The first period and the second period are executed alternately in the cooling mode.

In the first period, sorbent container 2A comes in contact with solar heat panel 1, and sorbate container 5A comes in contact with radiation member 6A. Steam vaporized from heated sorbent container 2A is condensed in radiated sorbate container 5A. Similarly, sorbent container 2B comes in contact with upper radiation member 3, and sorbate container 5B comes in contact with heat-absorbing member 7. Steam vaporized from sorbate container 5B is adsorbed in radiated sorbent container 2B.

In the second period, sorbent container 2B comes in contact with solar heat panel 1, and sorbate container 5B comes in contact with radiation member 6B. Steam vaporized from heated sorbent container 2B is condensed in radiated sorbate container 5B. Sorbent container 2A comes in contact with upper radiation member 3, and sorbate container 5A comes in contact with heat-absorbing member 7. Steam vaporized from sorbate container 5A is adsorbed in radiated sorbent container 2A. After all, heat-absorbing member is cooled by

sorbate containers

5A and 5B alternately.

In the warming mode, the positions P1 shown in Figure 2 and the positions P3 shown in Figure 4 are executed in a third period. The positions P2 shown in Figure 3 and the positions P4 shown in Figure 5 are executed at a fourth period. The third period and the fourth period are executed alternately

In the third period, sorbent container 2A comes in contact with solar heat panel 1, and sorbate container 5A comes in contact with heat-absorbing member 7. Steam vaporized from heated sorbent container 2A is condensed in sorbate container 5A. Sorbate container 5A gives the latent heat of condensed water to heat-absorbing member 7. Similarly, sorbent container 2B comes in contact with upper radiation member 3. Sorbate container 5B comes in contact with lower radiation member 6B. Temperatures of

radiation members

3 and 6B are mostly equal to each other. Accordingly, adsorbent accommodated in sorbent container 2B adsorbs steam vaporized from sorbate container 5B.

In the fourth period, sorbent container 2B comes in contact with solar heat panel 1, and sorbate container 5B comes in contact with heat-absorbing member 7. Steam vaporized from heated sorbent container 2B is condensed in sorbate container 5B. Sorbate container 5B gives the latent heat of condensed water to heat-absorbing member 7. Similarly, sorbent container 2A comes in contact with upper radiation member 3. Sorbate container 5A comes in contact with lower radiation member 6A. Temperatures of

radiation members

3 and 6A are mostly equal to each other. Accordingly, adsorbent accommodated in sorbent container 2A adsorbs steam vaporized from sorbate container 5A. After all, heat-absorbing member 7 is warmed by

sorbate containers

5A and 5B alternately.

It is important that above the simple sorption air conditioner shown in Figure 2-5 can be operated in both of the cooling mode and the warming mode. Further the warm-heat and the cold-heat can be transferred vertically by means of employing simple structure. Moreover, a weight and a thickness of the roof portion are reduced largely in comparison with the sorption cooler disclosed in PCT/JP2010/003273 applied by the inventor.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment is explained referring to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-section showing an arranged roof portion. Sorbent containers 2A and sorbent containers 2B are arranged horizontally and alternately. Solar heat panel 1 has a plurality of projections 11 projecting downward from the back surface of flat metal plate 12. The projections 11 project in odd spaces among

containers

2A and 2B.

Furthermore, upper radiation member 3 has projections 35 projecting upward from the top surface of upper radiation member 3. The projections 35 project in even spaces among

containers

2A and 2B. Each horizontal width of the spaces is wider than each horizontal width of the projections 11 and 35 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, each of projections 11 and 35 can come in contact with either of

adjacent containers

2A and 2B.

In Figure 6, projections 11 come in contact with containers 2A. Projections 35 come in contact with containers 2B. Projections 11 come in contact with containers 2B, and projections 35 come in contact with containers 2A, when

containers

2A and 2B are moved to left direction. After all, the roof portion shown in Figure 6 has the same operation as the roof portion shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a side view showing one sorbent container 2A. It is considered easily to employ the other heating means, for example gas heater, in order to heat

sorbent containers

2A and 2B instead of the solar heat panel..

An arrangement of the embodiment is explained referring to Figures 8 and 9. In Figures 8 and 9, projections 11A, which are essentially equal to projections 11 shown in Figure 6, are capable of sliding on the back surface of solar heat panel 1. Similarly, projections 35A, which are essentially equal to projections 35 shown in Figure 6, are capable of sliding on the top surface of upper radiation member 3. Projections 11A and 35A made from copper are moved by the actuator 10A shown in Figure 1. In Figure 8, projections 11A and 35A are moved to the left direction. In Figure 9, projections 11A and 35A are moved to the right direction. After all, it is avoid to move

sorbent containers

2A and 2B.

Third Embodiment
A third embodiment is explained referring to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a horizontal cross-section showing another ground portion of the solar air conditioner. The ground portion shown in Figure 10 is essentially equal to the ground portion shown in Figure 1. However,

sorbate containers

5A and 5B are fixed to

members

6A, 6B and 7 across heat insulation members (not shown).

A first group of

sorbate containers

5A and 5B are arranged alternately between lower radiation member 6A and heat-absorbing member 7. Similarly, a second group of

sorbate containers

5A and 5B are arranged alternately between lower radiation member 6B and heat-absorbing member 7. Each space is disposed between

sorbate containers

5A and 5B, which are adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction (left-right direction).

The ground portion has

projections

64 and 74 capable of sliding. Each projection 64 is disposed in each odd space between

adjacent sorbate containers

5A and 5B of the first group. Further, each projection 64 is disposed in each even space between

adjacent sorbate containers

5A and 5B of the second group. Similarly, each projection 74 is disposed in each even space between

adjacent sorbate containers

5A and 5B of the first group. Further, each projection 74 is disposed in each odd space between

adjacent sorbate containers

5A and 5B of the second group.

Root portions of projections 64 made from copper metal come into contact with inner plates 63 of

lower radiation members

6A and 6B.

Lower radiation members

6A and 6B have an inner plate 63, an outer plate 61 and many fins 62 each. The fins 62 are arranged in inner plates 63 and the outer plates 61 being in parallel to each other. Top portions of projections 64 come into contact with heat-absorbing member 7 across heat insulation members 65. The heat insulation members 65 are fixed to projections 64.

Root portions of projections 74 made from copper metal come into contact with side surfaces 71 and 73 of heat-absorbing member 7. Top portions of projections 74 come into contact with

lower radiation members

6A and 6B across heat insulation members 75. The heat insulation members 75 are fixed to projections 74. Heat-absorbing member 7 has two side plates 71 and 73 and many fins 72. The fins 72 are arranged in the two side plates 71 and 73 being in parallel to each other.

It is important that the root portions of projections 64 and heat insulation member 75 are capable of sliding horizontally on the inner surfaces of

lower radiation members

6A and 6B. Similarly, the root portions of projections 74 and heat insulation member 65 are capable of sliding horizontally on the side surfaces of heat-absorbing member 7.

Projections

64 and 65 can not come in contact with both of

sorbate containers

5A and 5B, which are adjacent each other.

After all, the ground portion shown in Figure 10 can have essentially same heat-transferring capability as the ground portion shown in Figure 1 by means of

reciprocating projections

64 and 74 periodically.

Projections

64 and 74 and

members

6A, 6B and 7 can have corrugate-shaped cross-section in order to improve heat resistances. According to an arranged embodiment, water pump can supply water to heat-absorbing member 7 instead of a fan 8C shown in Figure 1. The water is supplied to an inner indirect heat exchanger disposed in the room. The heat-absorbing member 7 becomes compact.

Fourth Embodiment
A fourth embodiment of the sorption air conditioner is explained referring to Figures 11 showing heat-keeping positions of

containers

2A, 2B, 5A and 5B. Figure 11 is a block view showing the solar sorption air conditioner, which has essentially same structure as the solar air conditioner, shown in Figure 1-5. The roof portion X has solar heat panel 1,

sorbent containers

2A and 2B and upper radiation member 3. The ground portion Y has

sorbate containers

5A and 5B,

lower radiation members

6A and 6B and heat-absorbing member 7.

Sorbent containers

2A and 2B can be kept at heat-keeping positions, which are apart from both of solar heat panel 1 and upper radiation member 3. Similarly,

sorbate containers

5A and 5B can be kept at heat-keeping positions, which are apart from both of

lower radiation members

6A and 6B and heat-absorbing member 7.

In the heat-keeping mode shown in Figure 11,

containers

2A, 2B, 5A and 5B are mostly heat-insulated from heat-transferring

members

1, 3, 6A, 6B and 7. Temperatures of

sorbent containers

2A and 2B become high, because steam is adsorbed by the sorbent in

sorbent containers

2A and 2B. The high temperatures of

sorbent containers

2A and 2B prevent to the adsorption in

sorbent containers

2A and 2B. Similarly, temperatures of

sorbate containers

5A and 5B become low, because steam is vaporized from

sorbate containers

5A and 5B. The low temperatures of

sorbate containers

5A and 5B prevent to the vaporization from

sorbate containers

5A and 5B.

However, air

layers surrounding containers

2A, 2B, 5A and 5B have a high value of heat-transferring resistance each. Consequently, latent heat capacities of

containers

2A, 2B, 5A and 5B are kept for long hours. Similarly, the heat-keeping mode is realized by means of separating projections 11A and 35A from

containers

2A, 2B, 5A and 5B shown in Figures 6-9.

Another arrangement is explained hereinafter. It is considered that the operation of the pair of

sorbent containers

2A and 2B can be stopped by means of employing the heat-keeping mode. Accordingly, the batch-type sorption air conditioner with the heat-keeping mode of this embodiment can have an additional pair of a third sorbent container and a fourth sorbent container instead of the heat-keeping pair of the first sorbent container 2A and the second sorbent container 2B.

In the other words, the first sorbent container 2A, the sorbate container 5A and the third sorbent container are communicated by the first vapor conduit 4A. Similarly, the second sorbent container 2B, the sorbate container 5B and the fourth sorbent container are communicated by the second vapor conduit 4B. The third sorbent container is disposed between a first additional heating member and a first additional radiating member. The fourth sorbent container is disposed between a second additional heating member and a second additional radiating member.

When the third sorbent container is heated by means of coming in contact with the first additional heating member, the fourth sorbent container is radiated by means of coming in contact with the second additional radiating member. Similarly, when the third sorbent container is radiated by means of coming in contact with the first additional radiating member, the fourth sorbent container is heated by means of coming in contact with the second additional heating member.

When the pair of the first sorbent container 2A and the second sorbent container 2B is in the heat-keeping mode each, the additional pair of third and the fourth sorbent containers works with the pair of the

sorbate containers

5A and 5B in order to generate the cold-heat or the warm-heat. The first additional heating member and the second additional heating member are heated by the other heating resource, for example a hot gas generated by a gas heater.

Similarly, the batch-type sorption air conditioner with the heat-keeping mode of this embodiment can have an additional pair of a third sorbate container and a fourth sorbate container instead of the heat-keeping pair of the first sorbate container 5A and the second sorbate container 5B.

In the other words, the first sorbent container 2A, the first sorbate container 5A and the third sorbate container are communicated by the first vapor conduit 4A. Similarly, the second sorbent container 2B, the second sorbate container 5B and the fourth sorbate container are communicated by the second vapor conduit 4B. The third sorbate container is disposed between a first additional heat-absorbing member and a first additional radiating member. The fourth sorbate container is disposed between a second additional heat-absorbing member and a second additional radiating member.

When the third sorbate container absorbs the heat by means of coming in contact with the first additional heat-absorbing member in the cooling mode, the fourth sorbate container is radiated by means of coming in contact with the second additional radiating member. Similarly, when the third sorbate container is radiated by means of coming in contact with the first additional radiating member, the fourth sorbate container absorbs the heat by means of coming in contact with the second additional heat-absorbing member.

When the pair of the first sorbate container 5A and the second sorbate container 5B are in the heat-keeping mode each, the additional pair of third and the fourth sorbate containers works with the pair of the

sorbent containers

2A and 2B in order to generate the cold-heat or the warm-heat. It means that the pair of

sorbent containers

2A and 2B can transfer the cold-heat and the warm-heat to either or both of two or more than pairs of sorbate containers, which are disposed at different places to each other.

Moreover, a plurality of pairs of sorbent containers and a plurality of pairs of sorbate containers can be connected with the pair of

vapor conduits

4A and 4B. Any pair of two sorbent containers or any pair of two sorbate containers can be stopped by means of employing the heat-keeping mode.

Fifth Embodiment
A fifth embodiment is explained referring to Figures 12. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing a closed refrigerant circuit of an electric air cooler capable of transferring the cold-heat from heat-absorbing member 7 to an inner indirect heat exchanger (evaporator) 14 of the electric air conditioner. A conduit 15 accommodating refrigerant constitutes the closed refrigerant circuit of a well-known electric air conditioner having a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion tube 13 and the inner indirect heat exchanger 14.

Inner indirect heat exchanger 14 is disposed in the room. The compressor 11, the condenser 12, the expansion tube 13 are accommodated in an outer housing (not shown) disposed out of the house. Heat-absorbing member 7 accommodated in the outer housing is connected between the condenser 12 and the expansion tube 13. Condenser 12 is communicated to expansion tube 13 via heat-absorbing member 7.

One operation of sorption cooler connected to the electric cooler is explained referring to Figure 12. Hot refrigerant with a high pressure value is exhausted from compressor 11. The hot refrigerant is radiated by condenser 12 and heat-absorbing member 7 in turn. The radiated refrigerant with a high pressure value is expanded in expansion tube 13. Expanded cold refrigerant with a low pressure value cools off inner indirect heat exchanger (evaporator) 14 disposed in the room.

A condensed temperature of condenser 12 or a vaporized temperature of inner indirect heat exchanger 14 is controlled by means of controlling compressor 11. It is preferable to control a compressing ratio of compressor 11. For example, compressor 11 has a low compressing ratio in an economy mode. Accordingly, a condensing ability of condenser 12 becomes poor. However, cold heat-absorbing member 7 cools off the refrigerant sufficiently. A motor power for driving compressor 11 is reduced. The heat-absorbing member 7 can be disposed at another position of the closed refrigerant circuit.

Sixth Embodiment
A sixth embodiment is explained referring to Figures 13. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing a closed refrigerant circuit of an electric air warmer capable of transferring the warm-heat from heat-absorbing member 7 to an inner indirect heat exchanger (condenser) 14 of the electric air conditioner. A conduit 15 accommodating refrigerant constitutes the closed refrigerant circuit of a well-known electric air conditioner having a compressor 11, the inner indirect heat exchanger (condenser) 14, an expansion tube 13 and the outer indirect heat exchanger (evaporator) 12.

Inner indirect heat exchanger 14 is disposed in the room. The compressor 11, the expansion tube 13 and the evaporator 12 are accommodated in an outer housing (not shown) disposed out of the house. Heat-absorbing member 7 accommodated in the outer housing is connected between evaporator 12 and compressor 11. Evaporator 12 is communicated to compressor 11 via heat-absorbing member 7.

One operation of sorption cooler connected to the electric cooler is explained referring to Figure 13. Hot refrigerant with a high pressure value is exhausted from compressor 11. The hot refrigerant is radiated by condenser 14. The radiated refrigerant with a high pressure value is expanded in expansion tube 13. Expanded cold refrigerant with a low pressure value absorbs heat from outer indirect heat exchanger (evaporator) 12 and warmed heat-absorbing member 7.

A condensed temperature of condenser 14 or a vaporized temperature of inner indirect heat exchanger 12 is controlled by means of controlling compressor 11. It is preferable to control a compressing ratio of compressor 11. For example, compressor 11 has a low compressing ratio in an economy mode. Accordingly, a vaporizing ability of evaporator 12 becomes poor. However, warm heat-absorbing member 7 heats the refrigerant sufficiently. A motor power for driving compressor 11 is reduced. The heat-absorbing member 7 can be disposed at another position of the closed refrigerant circuit.

A first arranged embodiment is explained referring to Figure 14. Figure 14 is a block diagram showing an electric air conditioner having heat-absorbing member 7. The electric air conditioner has both of a warming mode and a cooling mode. Except an motor valve 16 of changing the refrigerant direction, the closed refrigerant circuit shown in Figure 14 is equal to the closed refrigerant circuit shown in Figure 13. A refrigerant flow in the cooling mode is shown with real arrow lines. A refrigerant flow in the warming mode is shown with broken arrow lines. Consequently, heat-absorbing member 7 gives both of the cold-heat and the warm-heat to inner indirect heat exchanger 14.

A second arranged embodiment is explained referring to Figure 15. Figure 15 is a block diagram showing an electric air conditioner having heat-absorbing member 7. The electric air conditioner has both of a warming mode and a cooling mode. Except a motor valve 17 of changing the refrigerant direction, the closed refrigerant circuit shown in Figure 15 is equal to the closed refrigerant circuit shown in Figure 14.

A refrigerant flow in the cooling mode is shown with real arrow lines. A refrigerant flow in the warming mode is shown with broken arrow lines. It is considered that the refrigerant flows from outer indirect heat exchanger 12 to heat-absorbing member 7 in both of the cooling mode and the warming mode. Consequently, heat-absorbing member 7 gives both of the cold-heat and the warm-heat to inner indirect heat exchanger 14 effectively.

A third arranged embodiment is explained referring to Figure 16. Figure 16 is a block diagram showing an electric air conditioner having heat-absorbing member 7. Heat-absorbing member 7 is connected in parallel to outer indirect heat exchanger 12. A flow rate of heat-absorbing member 7 is controlled by a valve 18. A flow rate of outer indirect heat exchanger 12 is controlled by a valve 19. The electric air conditioner is driven like an ordinary electric air conditioner in the night when the solar system is stopped. The refrigerant can bypass heat-absorbing member 7.

It is important that above the electric air conditioner capable of using the solar heat can have simple system, because the cold-heat or the warm-heat of heat-absorbing member 7 is given to inner indirect heat exchanger 14 via the closed refrigerant circuit of an ordinary electric air conditioner.

Claims

A sorption air conditioner comprising:
a sorbate container (5A, 5B) communicated to a sorbent container (2A, 2B) including sorbent material;
a first pair of heat-transferring members (1 and 3) for changing a temperature of the sorbent container (2A, 2B) by means of changing mechanical contact;
a second pair of heat-transferring members (6A, 6B and 7) for changing a temperature of the sorbate container (5A, 5B) by means of changing mechanical contact;
wherein the sorbate container (5A and 5B) and the second pair of the heat-transferring members (6A, 6B and 7) are disposed at a lower position in comparison with the sorbent container (2A and 2B) and the first pair of the heat-transferring members (1 and 3).
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first sorbate container (5A) is communicated to the first sorbent container (2A);
the second sorbate container (5B) is communicated to the second sorbent container (2B);
the first pair of the heat-transferring members (1 and 3) has a solar heat panel (1) and an upper radiating member (3) for changing the temperature of the sorbent containers (2A and 2B) alternately; and
the second pair of the heat-transferring members (6A, 6B and 7) has a lower radiating member (6A, 6B) and a heat-absorbing member (7) for changing the temperature of the sorbate containers (5A and 5B) alternately;
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the solar heat panel (1), the sorbent containers (2A and 2B) and the upper radiating member (3) are disposed on a roof.
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the first sorbent container (2A) and the second sorbent container (2B) are arranged under the solar heat panel (1); and
the upper radiating member (3) are arranged under the first sorbent container (2A) and the second sorbent container (2B) arranged alternately and in parallel to each other.
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the heat-absorbing member (7) is connected in a closed refrigerant circuit of an electric air conditioner.
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the heat-absorbing member (7) is connected in series to adjacent an outer indirect heat exchanger (12) in the closed refrigerant circuit of the electric air conditioner.
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the sorption air conditioner has a cooling mode for cooling a room and a warming mode for warming the room.
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the sorption air conditioner has a heat-keeping mode for accumulating a latent heat in the containers (2A, 2B, 5A and 5B); and
all of the containers (2A, 2B, 5A and 5B) are separated from all of the heat-transferring members (1, 3, 6A, 6B and 7).
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the sorption air conditioner has an additional pair of a first additional sorbent container and a second additional sorbent container;
the addtional pair and the pair of sorbent containers (2A, 2B) are capable of being operated independently to each other.
the first additional sorbent container is communicated to the sorbate container (5A) and the sorbent container (2A); and
the second additional sorbent container is communicated to the sorbate container (5B) and the sorbent container (2B).
The sorption air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the sorption air conditioner has an addtional pair of a first additional sorbate container and a second additional sorbate container;
the addtional pair and the pair of sorbate containers (5A, 5B) are capable of being operated independently to each other.
the first additional sorbate container is communicated to the sorbate container (5A) and the sorbent container (2A); and
the second additional sorbate container is communicated to the sorbate container (5B) and the sorbent container (2B).
A sorption air conditioner comprising:
a sorbate container (5A, 5B) communicated to a sorbent container (2A, 2B) including sorbent material;
a first pair of heat-transferring members (1 and 3) for changing a temperature of the sorbent container (2A, 2B) by means of changing mechanical contact;
a second pair of heat-transferring members (6A, 6B and 7) for changing a temperature of the sorbate container (5A, 5B) by means of changing mechanical contact;
wherein the sorption air conditioner has a cooling mode for cooling a room and a warming mode for warming the room.
A sorption air conditioner comprising:
a sorbate container (5A, 5B) communicated to a sorbent container (2A, 2B) including sorbent material;
a first pair of heat-transferring members (1 and 3) for changing a temperature of the sorbent container (2A, 2B) by means of changing mechanical contact;
a second pair of heat-transferring members (6A, 6B and 7) for changing a temperature of the sorbate container (5A, 5B) by means of changing mechanical contact;
wherein the sorption air conditioner has a heat-keeping mode for accumulating a latent heat in the containers (2A, 2B, 5A and 5B); and
all of the containers (2A, 2B, 5A and 5B) are separated from all of the heat-transferring members (1, 3, 6A, 6B and 7).