EP2480841A2 - Oil separator and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Oil separator and method of manufacturing the same

Info

Publication number
EP2480841A2
EP2480841A2 EP10759998A EP10759998A EP2480841A2 EP 2480841 A2 EP2480841 A2 EP 2480841A2 EP 10759998 A EP10759998 A EP 10759998A EP 10759998 A EP10759998 A EP 10759998A EP 2480841 A2 EP2480841 A2 EP 2480841A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cylindrical housing
oil
cylinder
screen
refrigerant
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10759998A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Rickey Dean Burns
Robert Jackson Maddox
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Publication of EP2480841A2 publication Critical patent/EP2480841A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • F25B43/02—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat for separating lubricants from the refrigerant
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an oil separator configured to separate oil from refrigerant, and a method of manufacturing the same.
  • Oil separators configured to separate refrigerant from oil in a refrigeration system are known.
  • conventional oil separator designs typically require fabrication using a relatively large amount of separate components that must be individually modified at manufacture. This increases the cost of manufacturing such oil separators (in manpower and materials), and may hinder reliability, usability, and/or efficiency.
  • One aspect of the invention relates to an oil separator configured to
  • the oil separator comprises a cylindrical housing, a first annular seat, a first screen, a second annular seat, a second screen, and coalescing material.
  • the cylindrical housing has a first end and a second end, and forms an oil outlet opening, an inlet opening, and a refrigerant outlet opening.
  • the oil outlet opening is formed in a sidewall of the cylindrical housing near the first end of the cylindrical housing, and is configured to release oil that has been separated from refrigerant within the cylindrical housing out of the cylindrical housing.
  • the inlet opening is formed in the sidewall of the cylindrical housing spaced away from the oil outlet opening toward the second end of the cylindrical housing, and is configured to receive a flow of refrigerant mixed with oil into the oil separator.
  • the oil separator further comprises means for coalescing oil out of a flow of refrigerant and oil; first means for capturing the means for coalescing within the cylindrical housing, wherein the first means for capturing is positioned between the means for receiving and the means for releasing refrigerant; means for retaining the first means for capturing within the cylindrical housing, wherein the first means for capturing is seated on a side of the means for retaining that faces the second end of the cylindrical housing; second means for capturing the means for coalescing within the cylindrical housing, wherein the second means for capturing is positioned on a side of the means for coalescing opposite the first means for capturing; and means for retaining the second means for capturing within the cylindrical housing, wherein the second means for capturing is seated on a side of the means for retaining that faces the first end of the cylindrical housing.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an oil separator, according to one or more embodiments of the invention
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of an oil separator, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a method of manufacturing an oil separator
  • FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an oil separator 10 configured to separate oil from refrigerant.
  • the oil separator 10 is configured to separate oil from refrigerant in a refrigeration system.
  • oil separator 10 may be deployed in a heat exchange system configured to liquefy one or more fluids that are gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure.
  • oil separator 10 may reduce costs associated with manufacture, reduce failure to leakage, reduce misalignment of components that impair function and/or result in other undesirable effects (e.g., undesirable noise during operation, etc.).
  • FIGS. 1-3 depict front, side, and bottom elevation views, respectively, of oil separator 10.
  • FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view of oil separator 10 taken along section line 4-4 shown in FIG. 3.
  • oil separator 10 includes a cylindrical
  • cylindrical housing 12 is hollow, and is enclosed at each of a first end 14 and a second end 16.
  • cylindrical housing 12 has a wall thickness of about .062 inches, an inner diameter of about 1.0 inches, and/or a length of about 3.5 inches.
  • the cylindrical housing 12 is formed from a chemically and structurally stable material that will facilitate the functionality attributed herein to oil separator 10.
  • cylindrical housing 12 is formed from a metallic material, such as copper, aluminum, and/or other metallic materials.
  • the cylindrical housing 12 forms an oil outlet opening 18, an inlet
  • An oil outlet line 24 communicates with the interior of cylindrical housing 12 via oil outlet opening 18.
  • An inlet line 26 communicates with the interior of cylindrical housing 12 via inlet opening 20.
  • a refrigerant outlet line 28 communicates with the interior of cylindrical housing 12 via refrigerant outlet opening 22.
  • the oil outlet opening 18 is formed in the side wall of cylindrical housing
  • the oil outlet line 24 is mated to cylindrical housing 12 at oil outlet opening 18 such that oil separated from refrigerant within cylindrical housing 12 is released from cylindrical housing 12 through oil outlet opening 18 and oil outlet line 24.
  • oil outlet line 24 conveys the oil released from cylindrical housing 12 back to the system from which it came (e.g., a refrigerator compressor).
  • the oil outlet opening 18 may be formed in the sidewall of cylindrical housing 12 by extrusion drilling The diameter of oil outlet opening 18 may be about .032 inches.
  • the oil outlet line 24 may be formed from copper tubing, aluminum tubing, and/or other tubular materials.
  • the inlet opening 20 is formed in the side wall of cylindrical housing 12 between oil outlet opening 18 and second end 16.
  • the inlet line 26 is mated to cylindrical housing 12 at inlet opening 20 such that a flow of refrigerant mixed with oil is received into cylindrical housing 12 from inlet line 26 through inlet opening 20.
  • inlet opening 20 is formed in cylindrical housing 12 such that the flow of refrigerant mixed with oil is introduced into cylindrical housing 12 along a path that is off-axis with respect to a longitudinal axis through cylindrical housing 12.
  • the inlet opening 20 may be formed in the sidewall of cylindrical housing 12 by milling, and/or other techniques.
  • the diameter of inlet opening 20 may be about .25 inches.
  • the inlet line 26 may be formed from copper tubing, aluminum tubing, and/or other materials.
  • the refrigerant outlet opening 22 is formed at second end 16 of cylindrical housing 12. In one embodiment, refrigerant outlet opening 22 is formed at or near the longitudinal axis of cylindrical housing 12. This may enhance flow through refrigerant outlet opening 22. However, this configuration is not intended to be limiting and refrigerant outlet opening 22 may be formed at other locations at or near second end 16 of cylindrical housing 12.
  • the refrigerant outlet line 28 is mated to cylindrical housing 12 at refrigerant outlet opening 22 such that refrigerant from which the oil has been removed flows out of cylindrical housing 12 through refrigerant outlet opening 22 and refrigerant outlet line 28.
  • refrigerant outlet opening 22 is formed at second end 16 during enclosure of second end 16 of cylindrical housing 12. Specifically, second end 16 is enclosed by a spinning process, and a lip 30 that forms refrigerant outlet opening 22 is formed during this spinning process. By virtue of the formation of lip 30, a faying surface of refrigerant outlet opening 22 at which refrigerant outlet line 28 is mated to refrigerant outlet opening 22 is enlarged.
  • the diameter of inlet opening 20 may be about .25.
  • the refrigerant outlet line 28 may be formed from copper tubing, aluminum tubing, and/or other materials.
  • a first screen 38 is seated on first annular seat 34 on a side of first annular seat 34 facing toward second end 16.
  • the first screen 38 has a shape that corresponds to the cross section of cylindrical housing 12.
  • first screen 38 has a shape such that any substance passing from one side of first screen 38 to the other side of first screen 38 within cylindrical housing 12 must pass through first screen 38 (and not around a side thereof).
  • the shape of first screen 38 may be slightly larger than the cross section of cylindrical housing 12. This will enable first screen 38 to be held in place within 12 by press fit, as well as the seating on first annular seat 34 and other forces that hold first screen 38 in place (discussed below).
  • first screen 38 will bow upon installation within cylindrical housing 12, which can be seen in FIG. 4.
  • the first screen 38 may be formed from stainless steel, aluminum, and/or other materials.
  • a second screen 40 is seated on second annular seat 36 on a side of oil outlet line 24 facing toward first end 14.
  • the shape of second screen 40 corresponds to the cross section of cylindrical housing 12.
  • the shape of second screen 40 is the same, or substantially the same, as the shape of first screen 38.
  • the second screen 40 may be formed from stainless steel, aluminum, and/or other materials.
  • a coalescing material 42 is disposed within cylindrical housing 12
  • a ferrel 44 is disposed within cylindrical housing 12.
  • the ferrel 44 has an annular cross section that is smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of cylindrical housing 12. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of ferrel 44 is about .75 inches.
  • ferrel 44 includes an annular rim 46 that extends from ferrel 44 in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of ferrel 44. To fix the position of ferrel 44 within cylindrical housing 12, rim 46 is seated on first annular seat 34. The rim 46 is held in place on rim first annular seat 34 by first screen 38.
  • the refrigerant is in a gaseous state, and the oil and/or other impurities may be in a liquid state (as a vapor within the refrigerant) and/or a gaseous state.
  • the flow may be somewhat pressurized.
  • the refrigerant/oil mix Upon entering cylindrical housing 12, the refrigerant/oil mix is directed in a flow path around and around the inner surface of cylindrical housing 12.
  • the flow path is formed by the inner surface of cylindrical housing 12, and ferrel 44.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a method 48 of manufacturing an oil separator
  • method 48 configured to separate oil from refrigerant.
  • the operations of method 48 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 48 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 48 are illustrated in FIG. 5 and described below is not intended to be limiting.
  • an open, hollow cylinder having a first end and a second end is obtained.
  • Obtaining the cylinder may include, for example, cutting and/or otherwise preparing a length of cylindrical stock material.
  • the cylinder may for a cylindrical housing that is similar to or the same as cylindrical housing
  • the one or more openings include openings through which refrigerant and/or oil are received into and released from the oil separator.
  • the one or more opening include an oil outlet opening and an inlet opening.
  • the oil outlet opening is formed in the cylinder at or near the first end.
  • the inlet opening is formed in the cylinder between the oil outlet opening and the second end of the cylinder.
  • the oil outlet opening and the inlet opening are the same as or similar to oil outlet opening 18 and inlet opening 20, respectively (shown in FIGS. 1-4 and described above).
  • a filter is installed in the cylinder. Upon installation, the filter is positioned in the cylinder between the oil outlet opening and the inlet opening such that oil released from the oil separator filtered by the filter before being released.
  • the filter is the same as or similar to filter 32 (shown in FIG. 4 and described above).
  • a first annular seat is formed within the cylinder.
  • the first annular seat is a fixed annular protrusion from the inner surface of the cylinder.
  • the first annular seat is the same as or similar to first annular seat 34 (shown in FIG. 4 and described above).
  • a ferrel is deposited within the cylinder.
  • the ferrel includes a rim that extends from one end of the ferrel in a direction that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the ferrel. As the ferrel is deposited within the cylinder, the rim of the ferrel contacts the first annular seat on a side of the first annular seat that faces toward the second end of the cylinder.
  • the ferrel is the same as or similar to ferrel 44 (shown in FIG. 4 and described above).
  • a first screen is disposed in the cylinder.
  • the first screen is installed in the cylinder to contact a side of the rim of the ferrel opposite the first annular seat. This effectively seats both the first screen and the ferrel on the first annular seat.
  • the first screen is the same as or similar to first screen 38 (shown in FIG. 4 and described above).
  • a coalescing material is deposited into the cylinder.
  • the coalescing material is deposited on a side of the first screen that faces the second end of the cylinder.
  • the coalescing material is the same as or similar to coalescing material 42 (shown in FIG. 4 and described above).
  • the second screen is the same as or similar to second screen 40 (shown in FIG. 4 and described above).
  • a second annular seat is formed within the cylinder.
  • the second annular seat is a fixed protrusion from the inner surface of the cylinder.
  • the position of the second annular seat is such that the second screen is seated on the second annular seat on a side of the second annular seat facing toward the first end of the cylinder.
  • the second annular seat is configured such that the seating of the second screen on the second annular seat captures the coalescing material within the cylinder between the first screen and the second screen. By virtue of its capture between the first screen and the second screen, the coalescing material applies forces to the first screen and the second screen that seat the first screen and the second screen on the first annular seat and the second annular seat, respectively.
  • a refrigerant outlet opening is formed at or near the closed second end of the cylinder.
  • the refrigerant outlet opening is configured to release refrigerant from the oil separator after the oil has been removed.
  • the refrigerant outlet opening is formed at least partially during the closure of the second end of the cylinder in operation 68.
  • the refrigerant outlet opening may be the same as or similar to refrigerant outlet opening 22 (shown in FIGS. 1-4 and described above).
  • the one or more lines are configured to convey refrigerant and/or oil to or from the cylinder.
  • the one or more lines include an oil outlet line, an inlet line, and a refrigerant outlet line that are the same as or similar to oil outlet line 24, inlet line 26, and refrigerant outlet line 28, respectively (shown in FIGS. 1-4 and described above).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Compressor (AREA)
  • Filtering Of Dispersed Particles In Gases (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Edible Oils And Fats (AREA)
EP10759998A 2009-09-25 2010-08-17 Oil separator and method of manufacturing the same Withdrawn EP2480841A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US24580609P 2009-09-25 2009-09-25
PCT/IB2010/053715 WO2011036578A2 (en) 2009-09-25 2010-08-17 Oil separator and method of manufacturing the same

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2480841A2 true EP2480841A2 (en) 2012-08-01

Family

ID=43743468

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10759998A Withdrawn EP2480841A2 (en) 2009-09-25 2010-08-17 Oil separator and method of manufacturing the same

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20130126415A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP2480841A2 (zh)
JP (1) JP6200154B2 (zh)
CN (1) CN102639948A (zh)
AU (1) AU2010299504B2 (zh)
WO (1) WO2011036578A2 (zh)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103836856B (zh) * 2012-11-22 2016-06-29 浙江三花制冷集团有限公司 一种油分离器及应用该油分离器的制冷设备
JP6207430B2 (ja) * 2014-03-07 2017-10-04 住友重機械工業株式会社 オイルセパレータ
KR102368980B1 (ko) * 2015-11-27 2022-03-02 엘지전자 주식회사 오일분리기 및 이를 이용한 공기 조화기
CN105509382A (zh) * 2016-01-21 2016-04-20 珠海凌达压缩机有限公司 一种低压腔转子式压缩机以及空调器
CN106766301A (zh) * 2017-01-23 2017-05-31 浙江和利制冷设备有限公司 节能型超低温冰柜用制冷系统
CN106766430A (zh) * 2017-01-23 2017-05-31 浙江和利制冷设备有限公司 制冷系统用精馏型气液油分离器
GB2566538A (en) * 2017-09-18 2019-03-20 J & E Hall Ltd Oil separator

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JP4063179B2 (ja) * 2003-08-28 2008-03-19 松下電器産業株式会社 油分離器
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2010299504B2 (en) 2015-02-12
JP6200154B2 (ja) 2017-09-20
CN102639948A (zh) 2012-08-15
AU2010299504A1 (en) 2012-05-17
JP2013506106A (ja) 2013-02-21
US20130126415A1 (en) 2013-05-23
WO2011036578A2 (en) 2011-03-31
WO2011036578A3 (en) 2011-05-26

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