Refrigerant system and method for controlling the same

Abstract

A refrigerant system, includes: an air conditioner configured to condition air in a building by using a first refrigerant cycle; a cooler configured to cool air in a storage compartment of the building by using a second refrigerant cycle; and a refrigerant heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant of the air conditioner and a refrigerant of the cooler, wherein the cooler includes a main compressor and an auxiliary compressor configured to backup the main compressor.

1 . A refrigerant system, comprising:
 an air conditioner configured to condition air in a building by using a first refrigerant cycle;   a cooler configured to cool air in a storage compartment of the building by using a second refrigerant cycle; and   a refrigerant heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant of the air conditioner and a refrigerant of the cooler,   wherein the cooler includes a main compressor and an auxiliary compressor configured to backup the main compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerant system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a breakdown sensor configured to sense a breakdown of the main compressor; and   a controller configured to control the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if the breakdown sensor senses a breakdown of the main compressor.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerant system of  claim 2 , wherein the breakdown sensor includes a current sensor configured to sense a current of the main compressor. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerant system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller controls the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if the current sensed by the current sensor is greater than a reference current. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerant system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller controls the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if the current sensed by the current sensor is less than a reference current. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerant system of  claim 2 , wherein the breakdown sensor includes a temperature sensor configured to sense a refrigerant temperature at a discharge side of the main compressor. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerant system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller controls the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is greater than a reference temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerant system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a breakdown sensor configured to sense a breakdown of the main compressor; and   a breakdown signaler configured to output a breakdown signal if the breakdown sensor senses a breakdown of the main compressor.   
     
     
         9 . The refrigerant system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an overload sensor configured to sense an overload of the main compressor;   a controller configured to control the auxiliary compressor to supplement the main compressor if the overload sensor senses an overload of the main compressor.   
     
     
         10 . The refrigerant system of  claim 9 , wherein the overload sensor includes a temperature sensor configured to sense an outdoor temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerant system of  claim 10 , wherein the controller controls the auxiliary compressor to supplement the main compressor if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is greater than a reference temperature. 
     
     
         12 . A refrigerant system, comprising:
 an air conditioner, including: a first heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between external air and a first refrigerant; a second heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between internal air and the first refrigerant; a first compressor for compressing the first refrigerant; a first refrigerant passageway of a third heat exchanger; and a first expander configured to expand the first refrigerant at an intake side of the first refrigerant passageway; and   a cooler, including: a fourth heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between external air and a second refrigerant; a fifth heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between internal air and the second refrigerant; a second compressor for compressing the second refrigerant; and a second refrigerant passageway of the third heat exchanger,   wherein the second compressor includes a main compressor and an auxiliary compressor.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerant system of  claim 12 , wherein the cooler further includes: a third refrigerant passageway of a sixth heat exchanger; and a second expander configured to expand the second refrigerant at an intake side of the third passageway. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerant system of  claim 13 , wherein the cooler further includes: a seventh heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between external air and a third refrigerant; a eighth heat exchanger configured to perform a heat exchange between internal air and the third refrigerant; a third compressor for compressing the third refrigerant; and a fourth refrigerant passageway of the sixth heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerant system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a breakdown sensor configured to sense a breakdown of the main compressor; and   a controller configured to control the auxiliary compressor to replace the main compressor if the breakdown sensor senses a breakdown of the main compressor.   
     
     
         16 . The refrigerant system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an overload sensor configured to sense an overload of the main compressor;   a controller configured to control the auxiliary compressor to supplement the main compressor if the overload sensor senses an overload of the main compressor.   
     
     
         17 . A method of controlling a refrigerant system, comprising:
 conditioning air in a building by using a first refrigerant cycle;   cooling air in a storage compartment of the building by using a second refrigerant cycle;   exchanging heat between a refrigerant of the first refrigerant cycle and a refrigerant of the second refrigerant cycle;   sensing a breakdown or overload of a main compressor of the second refrigerant cycle; and   controlling an auxiliary compressor to start when the breakdown or overload of the main compressor is sensed.