Heat pump apparatus

Abstract

A heat pump apparatus that can easily prevent noise generated during partial-load operation is provided. The heat pump apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant; an expansion valve configured to adiabatically expand the condensed refrigerant; an evaporator configured to vaporize the adiabatically-expanded refrigerant; a container into which the vaporized refrigerant flows and from which the refrigerant that flowed in flows out to the centrifugal compressor; a sound-insulating member configured to cover the container and prevent sound generated inside the container from leaking outside; a bypass channel configured to guide part of the refrigerant from an area between the centrifugal compressor and the condenser to the container; and a flow control valve configured to control the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass channel.

1 . A heat pump apparatus comprising:
 a centrifugal compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;   a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant;   an expansion valve configured to adiabatically expand the condensed refrigerant;   an evaporator configured to vaporize the adiabatically-expanded refrigerant;   a container into which the vaporized refrigerant flows and from which the flown-in refrigerant flows out to the centrifugal compressor;   a sound-insulating member configured to cover the container and prevent sound generated inside the container from leaking outside;   a bypass channel configured to guide part of the refrigerant from an area between the centrifugal compressor and the condenser to the container; and   a flow control valve configured to control the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass channel.   
     
     
         2 . The heat pump apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a silencing part configured to prevent the generation of sound due to the refrigerant flowing in is provided in an area of the container where the refrigerant flows in from the bypass channel. 
     
     
         3 . The heat pump apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the container has a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends closed, and   wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the substantially cylindrical shape is approximately ten times or more larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the bypass channel.