EP2674699B1 - Gas liquid separator and refrigeration cycle device - Google Patents
Gas liquid separator and refrigeration cycle device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2674699B1 EP2674699B1 EP12744185.5A EP12744185A EP2674699B1 EP 2674699 B1 EP2674699 B1 EP 2674699B1 EP 12744185 A EP12744185 A EP 12744185A EP 2674699 B1 EP2674699 B1 EP 2674699B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- gas
- pipe
- phase fluid
- liquid separator
- 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.)
- Active
Links
Images
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
- F25B43/006—Accumulators
-
- 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
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/23—Separators
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a gas liquid separator suitable for miniaturization and a refrigeration cycle apparatus using this gas liquid separator.
- Gas liquid separators for separating a gas-liquid two-phase fluid into a liquid and a gas using centrifugal force created by a swirling flow are conventionally known. Such gas liquid separators must have a size large enough to create strong centrifugal force.
- gas liquid separators using surface tension have recently been proposed. Since these gas liquid separators using surface tension do not involve the formation of a swirling flow, their size can be reduced.
- Patent Literature 1 discloses a gas liquid separator 100 as shown in FIG. 15 .
- an inlet pipe 151 for introducing a gas-liquid two-phase fluid into a sealed container 100 is connected to the top of a sealed container 110, and a liquid outlet pipe 152 for discharging a liquid separated in the sealed container 110 to the outside of the sealed container 110 is connected to the side portion of the sealed container 110.
- a gas outlet pipe 153 for discharging a gas separated in the sealed container 110 to the outside of the sealed container 110 extends through the bottom of the sealed container 110.
- a partition plate 120 that partitions the inside of the sealed container 110 into an inflow space 111 and an enlarged space 113 and forms an annular narrow space 112 between the spaces 111 and 113 along the inner peripheral face of the sealed container 110 is disposed.
- the gas-liquid two-phase fluid introduced into the inflow space 111 through the inlet pipe 151 is allowed to flow into the enlarged space 113 through the narrow space 112, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path increases rapidly from the narrow space 112 to the enlarged space 113.
- a separation member 130 having a tubular shape along the inner peripheral face of the sealed container 110 is disposed beneath and in contact with the partition plate 120.
- This separation member 130 has a plurality of vertical grooves opening radially inwardly. The presence of these vertical grooves in a region where the cross-sectional area of the flow path rapidly increases allows the gas and the liquid to be separated using surface tension. More specifically, the liquid in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing into the vertical grooves is retained in the grooves by surface tension, and only the gas flows out of the grooves. The liquid separated in the separation member 130 is collected in the lower part of the sealed container 110 and discharged outside through the liquid outlet pipe 152.
- US patent 5,692,394 A discloses a gas-liquid separator for a heat pump type air conditioning system using a gas-injection cycle, capable of switching its mode of operation between heating and cooling modes.
- the gas-liquid separator includes a reservoir for receiving refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase flow; an exit port which opens at a upper portion of the reservoir and allows a refrigerant gas to flow out of the reservoir, first and second ports which are provided at a upper part within the reservoir above the level of the refrigerant liquid and allows the refrigerant to flow into and out of the reservoir.
- JP patent S61 114058 discloses a heat pump type refrigerating apparatus being capable of cooling and heating.
- the heat pump type refrigerating apparatus comprises a heat source side heat exchanger, a utilization side heat exchanger, an expansion device, a refrigerating pipe connecting the heat exchangers and a gas-liquid separator.
- the gas-liquid separator comprises an inlet pipe which serves as an inlet pipe for cooling and as an outlet pipe for heating, an outlet pipe which serves as an outlet pipe for cooling and as an inlet pipe for heating.
- the refrigerant flows though the plurality of through holes opening into the interior of the gas-liquid separator.
- the flow direction of a refrigerant flowing in a heat pump circuit in a heating operation is opposite to the flow direction thereof in a cooling operation. Therefore, there is a demand for a reversible-flow gas-liquid separator.
- the gas-liquid separator 100 shown in FIG. 15 the fluid flows in only one direction. Therefore, it cannot be used in a section where the flow of the fluid is reversed.
- the present invention provides a gas liquid separator including: a sealed container including an upper cover portion that disperses an upward-injected gas-liquid two-phase fluid and directs the dispersed gas-liquid two-phase fluid downward so that a liquid contained in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is pressed against an inner face of the upper cover portion and the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is converted into a two-layer flow including a liquid layer and a gas-rich layer, a tubular portion that allows the liquid layer to flow down along an inner peripheral face of the tubular portion, and a lower cover portion that retains the liquid layer to form a liquid reservoir; a guide member that is disposed in the sealed container to form an inflow space between the guide member and the upper cover portion and to form a flow passage for the two-layer flow between the guide member and the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion, and that guides the gas-rich layer down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular potion; a first pipe that extends through the lower cover portion and through the guide member so that one end of the first pipe
- the first pipe and the second pipe are configured such that when one of the first pipe and the second pipe is used to introduce the gas-liquid two-phase fluid into the inflow space from outside the sealed container, the other one is used to discharge the liquid in the liquid reservoir to the outside of the sealed container through the liquid outlet port of the other one while forming a liquid surface at a level above the liquid outlet port.
- the present invention also provides a refrigeration cycle apparatus including: a heat pump circuit including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between indoor air and the refrigerant, a first expansion mechanism and a second expansion mechanism that expand the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant, and the gas liquid separator described above, in which the first pipe is connected to the second expansion mechanism and the second pipe is connected to the first expansion mechanism; an injection pipe that connects the gas outlet pipe of the gas liquid separator and the compressor so that the refrigerant is injected into the compressor during compression of the refrigerant; and a switching means capable of switching a direction of the refrigerant flowing in the heat pump circuit to a first direction along which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is directed to the indoor heat exchanger in a heating operation and to a second direction along which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is directed to the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling operation.
- the direction of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is completely reversed by the upper cover portion of the sealed container. Therefore, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid can be separated into a gas and a liquid to some extent by centrifugal force (inertial force) created by the reversal of the direction.
- centrifugal force inertial force
- the two-layer flow thus formed flows down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion, the gas and the liquid can be separated almost completely by surface tension of the liquid layer. This configuration allows miniaturization of the gas-liquid separator.
- the one of the first pipe and the second pipe serves as an inlet pipe of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid
- the other one serves as an outlet pipe of the liquid.
- the functions of the first pipe and the second pipe are switched automatically according to the nature of the fluid only by selecting the pipe to which the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is to be supplied.
- FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a gas liquid separator 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- This gas liquid separator 1A includes a sealed container 2 extending in the vertical direction, and three pipes extending from the outside of the sealed container 2 to the inside thereof, that is, a first pipe 3A, a second pipe 3B, and a gas outlet pipe 4.
- the gas outlet pipe 4 is disposed along the central axis of the sealed container 2, and the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B are disposed on 180-degree opposite sides of the gas outlet pipe 4.
- the sealed container 2 includes a hemispherical upper cover portion 21 opening downward, a tubular portion 22 having a tubular shape, and a hemispherical lower cover portion 23 opening upward.
- the upper cover portion 21 disperses an upward-injected gas-liquid two-phase fluid and directs the dispersed fluid downward so that a liquid contained in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is pressed against the inner face of the upper cover portion 21 and the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is converted into a two-layer flow F including a liquid layer F1 and a gas-rich layer F2.
- the upward direction in which the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is injected does not necessarily have to be parallel to the vertical direction. It may be a direction slightly inclined from the vertical direction.
- the tubular portion 22 allows the liquid layer F1 to flow down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22.
- the lower cover portion 23 retains the liquid layer F1 to form a liquid reservoir 13.
- the upper cover portion 21 and the lower cover portion 23 do not necessarily have to be hemispherical.
- they may have a bucket-like shape having a disc-shaped main wall and a peripheral wall raised from the main wall.
- the heights of the upper cover portion 21 and the lower cover portion 23 are not particularly limited, and they may be arbitrarily determined.
- a guide member 5 is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper part of the tubular portion 22.
- the guide member 5 forms an inflow space 11 between the guide member 5 and the upper cover portion 21, and forms a flow passage 15 for the two-layer flow F between the guide member 5 and the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22.
- the guide member 5 guides the gas-rich layer F2 down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22.
- a separation space 12 is formed below the guide member 5.
- the guide member 5 partitions the inside of the sealed container 2 into the inflow space 11 and the separation space 12 such that these spaces 11 and 12 communicate with each other only through an annular narrow space formed therebetween along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22.
- the guide member 5 has an axisymmetric container-like shape opening downward and having a ceiling portion 51 and a side wall portion 52 hanging from the outer edge of the ceiling portion 51.
- One end of the gas outlet pipe 4 is located in a space surrounded by the guide member 5.
- the ceiling portion 51 has a disc shape and forms a flat top face of the guide member 5.
- the side wall portion 52 forms a tapered outer peripheral face of the guide member 5 having a diameter gradually increasing downward and facing the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22.
- the top face of the guide member 5 does not necessarily have to be flat. It may be a dome-like curved surface leading to the outer peripheral face of the guide member 5, or may be a conical surface.
- the shape of the guide member 5 does not necessarily have to be an axisymmetric shape or a container-like shape.
- the gas outlet pipe 4 is a pipe for discharging, to the outside of the sealed container 2, the gas resulting from removal of the liquid from the gas-rich layer F2 by surface tension of the liquid layer F1. Specifically, the gas outlet pipe 4 extends through the lower cover portion 23 of the sealed container 2 so that one end of the gas outlet pipe 4 opens upward. In the present embodiment, the gas outlet pipe 4 extends in the vertical direction.
- the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B extend through the lower cover portion 23 of the sealed container 2 and through the ceiling portion 51 of the guide member 5 so that one end of the first pipe 3A and one end of the second pipe 3B open into the inflow space 11.
- the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B may be bent at an angle of approximately 90 degrees in the liquid reservoir 13, but preferably, they are substantially straight.
- a substantially straight pipe refers to a pipe being straight or being bent at an angle of 10 degrees or less.
- the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B extend in the vertical direction.
- the first pipe 3A is provided with a liquid outlet port 31 in a portion submerged in the liquid reservoir 13, and the second pipe 3B is provided with a liquid outlet port 32 in a portion submerged in the liquid reservoir 13.
- the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B are configured such that when one of the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B is used to introduce the gas-liquid two-phase fluid into the inflow space 11 from outside the sealed container 2, the other one is used to discharge the liquid in the liquid reservoir 13 to the outside of the sealed container 2 through the liquid outlet port (31 or 32) of the other one while forming a liquid surface at a level above the liquid outlet port (31 or 32).
- the liquid outlet ports 31 and 32 are provided near the bottom of the sealed container 13 so that the ports 31 and 32 are located below the liquid surface in the liquid reservoir 13 even if the level of the liquid surface falls.
- the liquid flows into the second pipe 3B through the liquid outlet port 32 and forms, in the second pipe 3B, a liquid surface at a level close to the level of the liquid surface in the liquid reservoir 13.
- the liquid flows into the first pipe 3A through the liquid outlet port 31 and forms, in the first pipe 3A, a liquid surface at a level close to the level of the liquid surface in the liquid reservoir 13.
- the shape of the guide member 5 and the positions of the liquid outlet ports 31 and 32 need to be designed so that the pressure loss ⁇ P between the inflow space 11 and the separation space 12, that is, the pressure loss ⁇ P that occurs in the flow passage 15 formed between the guide member 5 and the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22 of the sealed container 2 and in the vicinity of the flow passage 15 satisfies Equation 5.
- the shape of the liquid outlet ports 31 and 32 may be circular as shown in FIG. 3A , but it may be oval as shown in FIG. 3B .
- the area of the liquid outlet port 31 is set to be equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path in the first pipe 3A, and the area of the liquid outlet port 32 is set to be equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path in the second pipe 3B.
- the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced into the sealed container 2 through the first pipe 3A.
- the liquid outlet port 31 provided in the first pipe 3A opens laterally, but since the flow tends to go straight by inertia, most of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flows into the inflow space 11 from the end of the first pipe 3A. Even if some of the liquid in the liquid reservoir 13 flows into the first pipe 3A through the liquid outlet port 31 or some of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flows out of the first pipe 3A through the liquid outlet port 31, there is no particular problem.
- the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing into the inflow space 11 is dispersed around.
- the dispersed gas-liquid two-phase fluid may or may not hit the upper cover portion 21.
- the gas-liquid two-phase fluid changes to the two-layer flow F while gradually changing its direction downward.
- the gas-liquid two-phase fluid can be separated into a gas and a liquid to some extent by centrifugal force (inertial force) created by the reversal of the direction.
- the two-layer flow F created by the upper cover portion 21 passes through the flow passage 15 and flows down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22. Since the downflow speed of the gas-rich layer F2 is higher than that of the liquid layer F1, the gas-rich layer F2 slides down the surface of the liquid layer F1. Therefore, most of the liquid is removed from the gas-rich layer F2 by the surface tension of the liquid layer F1, and thus the two-layer flow F is separated into a gas and a liquid.
- the gas thus separated flows upward in the separation space 12 and then changes its direction downward in the space surrounded by the guide member 5. At this time, traces of liquid mist contained in the gas are removed by centrifugal force and gravity. Then, the gas is discharged to the outside of the sealed container 2 through the gas outlet pipe 4.
- the separated liquid flows down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22 to form the liquid reservoir 13, and then flows into the second pipe 3B through the liquid outlet port 32 provided in the second pipe 3B to open laterally and is discharged to the outside of the sealed container 2.
- the liquid flows into the second pipe 3B through the liquid outlet port 32 and forms, in the second pipe 3B, a liquid surface at a level close to the level of the liquid surface in the liquid reservoir 13, as described above.
- the liquid blocks the second pipe 3B, and this blocking action prevents the gas-liquid two-phase fluid in the inflow space 11 from being discharged to the outside of the sealed container 2 through the second pipe 3B.
- the reversal of the direction of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid by the upper cover portion 21 and the surface tension of the liquid layer F1 make it possible to separate the gas-liquid two-phase fluid into a gas and a liquid almost completely, resulting in miniaturization of the gas-liquid separator 1A.
- the other one serves as an outlet pipe of the liquid.
- the functions of the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B are switched automatically according to the nature of the fluid only by selecting the pipe to which the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is to be supplied.
- a reversible-flow gas liquid separator can be obtained.
- the cost can be reduced compared to conventional gas liquid separators using a check valve or the like.
- the outer peripheral face of the guide member 5 has a tapered shape having a diameter gradually increasing downward, it is possible to increase the flow rate of the gas-rich layer F2 gradually while allowing the two-layer flow F to flow smoothly into the flow passage 15.
- the end of the gas outlet pipe 4 is located in the space surrounded by the guide member 5, the downward flow direction of the gas along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22 is changed to the upward direction in the separation space 12.
- This change in the flow direction to a direction against gravity allows traces of liquid contained in the gas to be removed by gravity and centrifugal force.
- the end of the gas outlet pipe 4 opens upward, the upward flow of the gas is changed to the downward flow in the space surrounded by the guide member 5. As a result, traces of liquid contained in the gas can be removed more precisely by centrifugal force created by the change in the flow direction.
- the liquid outlet ports 31 and 32 can be provided near the deepest part of the liquid reservoir 13. Therefore, even if the liquid surface level changes, the height H 1 from the level of the liquid outlet ports 31 and 32 to the level of the liquid surface in the liquid reservoir 13 can be kept high enough. Thereby, the stability of the separation performance of the gas liquid separator 1A can be improved.
- This refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 is used for air conditioning for heating and cooling a room, and includes a heat pump circuit 90 in which a refrigerant is circulated and an injection pipe 97 through which the refrigerant is bypassed.
- the heat pump circuit 90 includes a compressor 91 that compresses the refrigerant, an indoor heat exchanger 93 that exchanges heat between the indoor air and the refrigerant, a first expansion mechanism 94 and a second expansion mechanism 95 that expand the refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger 96 that exchanges heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant.
- the gas liquid separator 1A is incorporated in the heat pump circuit 90 such that the first pipe 3A is connected to the second expansion mechanism 95 and the second pipe 3B is connected to the first expansion mechanism 94.
- the compressor 91 has a configuration in which a low-stage working chamber and a high-stage working chamber are connected by an internal flow path.
- the injection pipe 97 connects the gas outlet pipe 4 of the gas-liquid separator 1A and the internal flow path of the compressor 91 so that the refrigerant is injected into the compressor 91 during the compression of the refrigerant.
- the heat pump circuit 90 is further provided with a four-way valve 92 as a switching means.
- the four-way valve 92 switches the direction of the refrigerant flowing in the heat pump circuit 90 to a first direction along which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 91 is directed to the indoor heat exchanger 93 in the heating operation and to a second direction along which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 91 is directed to the outdoor heat exchanger 96 in the cooling operation.
- the refrigerant absorbs heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 96 and releases heat in the indoor heat exchanger 93
- the refrigerant absorbs heat in the indoor heat exchanger 93 and releases heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 96.
- the switching means of the present invention is not limited to the four-way valve 92, and it may be a bridge circuit, for example.
- the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 can be increased by a decrease in the pressure loss of the refrigerant pipe in the indoor heat exchanger 93 in the cooling operation or the outdoor heat exchanger 96 in the heating operation that exchanges heat with a low-temperature side heat source using the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant, a decrease in the compression power of the compressor 91, and the like.
- the discharge temperature at a low outdoor temperature which causes an increase in the compression ratio can be lowered by the cooling effect of the refrigerant injected in the middle of the compression process. Thereby, the upper limit of the rotational speed of the compressor 91 can be relaxed, and thus the heating capacity can be improved.
- FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a gas liquid separator 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. This also applies to the third to seventh embodiments described below.
- a tubular separation member 6 is disposed along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22 and below the flow passage 15 formed between the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22 and the outer peripheral face of the guide member 5. Except for this, the gas liquid separator 1B has the same configuration as that of the gas liquid separator 1A of the first embodiment.
- the separation member 6 may be disposed spaced apart below the guide member 5, or may be disposed in contact with the guide member 5. Instead, the upper part of the separation member 6 may protrude slightly into the flow passage 15. The liquid surface in the liquid reservoir 13 is normally maintained at a level below the separation member 6 in a stable state.
- the separation member 6 makes the surface area of the liquid layer F1 on the separation member 6 larger than that of the liquid layer F1 on the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion 22.
- a corrugated member having a plurality of vertical grooves or a mesh member can be used.
- an accordion-folded corrugated member having vertical grooves opening radially inwardly and vertical grooves opening radially outwardly that are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction is used.
- the corrugated member may have only the vertical grooves opening radially inwardly.
- the separation member 6 is supported from below by a supporting plate 65.
- the supporting plate 65 is fixed to the gas outlet pipe 4 by brazing or the like, and the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B extend through through-holes provided in the supporting plate 65.
- the supporting plate 65 may be fixed to the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B.
- the surface area of the liquid layer F2 can be increased in the radial direction compared to that in the first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height of the separation space 12 so as to further reduce the size of the gas liquid separator 1B or to improve the separation efficiency.
- FIG. 7 shows a gas liquid separator 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
- a partition member 7 is disposed in the inflow space 11 so as to divide the inflow space 11 into an upper space and a lower space.
- the gas liquid separator 1C has the same configuration as that of the gas liquid separator 1B of the second embodiment.
- the partition member 7 disperses the upward-injected gas-liquid two-phase fluid and directs the dispersed gas-liquid two-phase fluid downward so that a liquid contained in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is pressed against the inner face of the partition member 7 and the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is converted into a two-layer flow F including a liquid layer F1 and a gas-rich layer F2.
- the partition member 7 has a container-like shape opening downward, which is similar to the shape of the guide member 5, and the second pipe 3B extends through the partition member 7.
- the shape of the partition member 7 is not limited to this shape, and it may be a hemispherical shape opening downward, for example.
- the first pipe 3A may extend through the partition member 7.
- the basic operation of the gas liquid separator 1C of the present embodiment is the same as that of the gas liquid separator 1B of the second embodiment. However, when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the first pipe 3A, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is directed from the space below the partition member 7 to the flow passage 15, and when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the second pipe 3B, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is directed from the space above the partition member 7 to the flow passage 15.
- a pressure difference between the gas and the liquid at the position of the liquid outlet port 32 of the second pipe 3B is effective in preventing the gas-liquid two-phase fluid that has flowed into the inflow space 11 through the end of the first pipe 3A from being discharged through the end of the second pipe 3B.
- the presence of the partition member 7 spatially separates the end of the first pipe 3A and the end of the second pipe 3B and prevents these ends from being linearly connected to each other.
- the effect of preventing the gas-liquid two-phase fluid from flowing from the first pipe 3A directly to the second pipe 3B in the inflow space 11 can be further enhanced, and the separation performance of the gas liquid separator 1C can be further improved. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the second pipe 3B.
- the separation member 6 is illustrated in FIG. 7 , but the separation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a gas liquid separator 1D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B are disposed adjacent to each other, and the gas outlet pipe 4 extends through the tubular portion 22 and the side wall portion 52 of the guide member 5 so that the end of the gas outlet pipe 4 opens laterally toward both the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B.
- the gas liquid separator 1D can be compactly configured. As a result, for example, the flexibility in the placement of the gas liquid separator in a limited space of a housing of an outdoor unit for air conditioning is enhanced, and the effect of reducing the cost by reducing the size of the components also can be expected.
- the gas flowing upward in the separation space 12 turns laterally along the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B in a space opposite to the gas outlet pipe 4, and then flows into the end of the gas outlet pipe 4.
- the gas and the liquid are not completely separated in the sealed container 2 and traces of liquid mist remain in the gas, it is possible to hit or press the liquid mist against the side face of the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B by centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the gas. Therefore, even the compactly configured gas liquid separator 1D can achieve a high separation effect.
- the end of the gas outlet pipe 4 opens toward both the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B disposed adjacent to each other so as to maximize the effect, but needless to say, the same effect can be obtained if the end of the gas outlet pipe 4 opens toward at least one of the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B.
- the separation effect increases as the end of the gas outlet pipe 4 approaches the first pipe 3A or the second pipe 3B.
- a too small distance between them causes an increase in pressure loss that occurs when the gas flows into the gas outlet pipe 4. This is not preferable.
- the separation member 6 is illustrated in FIG. 8 , but the separation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show a gas liquid separator 1E according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B are disposed adjacent to each other, and the gas outlet pipe 4 extends through the upper cover portion 21 and the ceiling portion 51 of the guide member 5 so that the end of the gas outlet pipe 4 opens downward.
- the diameter of the sealed container 2 can be reduced, as in the fourth embodiment.
- the end of the gas outlet pipe 4 is located at the uppermost position in the space surrounded by the guide member 5. Therefore, even if the gas and the liquid are not completely separated in the sealed container 2 and traces of liquid mist remain in the gas, it is possible to obtain a pronounced effect of separating the liquid mist from the gas by gravity in the separation space 12.
- the separation member 6 is illustrated in FIG. 10 , but the separation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 12 , FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B show a gas liquid separator 1F according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- an inflow barrier 81 that partitions the inflow space 11 into a first pipe 3A side space and a second pipe 3B side space and an outflow barrier 82 that partitions the liquid reservoir 13 into a first pipe 3A side reservoir and a second pipe 3B side reservoir are provided in the sealed container 2.
- a mesh member made of metal or resin is used as the separation member 6, and the upper part of the separation member 6 protrudes slightly into the flow passasge 15 and the separation member 6 and the guide member 5 are in close contact with each other. Except for these, the gas liquid separator 1F has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment.
- the inflow barrier 81 is fixed to the upper face of the guide member 5, but it may be fixed to the inner face of the upper cover portion 21.
- the inflow barrier 81 only has to be located on a straight line connecting the end of the first pipe 3A and the end of the second pipe 3B to prevent the gas-liquid two-phase fluid released from the end of the first pipe 3A (or the end of the second pipe 3B) into the inflow space 11 from flowing directly into the end of the second pipe 3B (or the end of the first pipe 3A). That is, in the inflow space 11, the first pipe 3A side space and the second pipe 3B side space may communicate with each other above or below the end of the first pipe 3A and the end of the second pipe 3B or in front of or behind the longitudinal section in FIG. 12 .
- the outflow barrier 82 is fixed to the sealed container 2 or the gas outlet pipe 4.
- the outflow barrier 82 only has to be located on a straight line connecting the liquid outlet ports 31 and 32 to prevent the gas in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid leaked from the liquid outlet port 31 of the first pipe 3A (or the liquid outlet port 32 of the second pipe 3B) from flowing directly into the liquid outlet port 32 of the second pipe 3B (or the liquid outlet port 31 of the first pipe 3A). That is, in the liquid reservoir 13, the first pipe 3A side reservoir and the second pipe 3B side reservoir may communicate with each other above or below the liquid outlet ports 31 and 32 or in front of or behind the longitudinal section in FIG. 12 .
- the use of a mesh member as the separation member 6 as in the present embodiment allows a compact configuration with a high separation efficiency to be achieved at low cost.
- the mesh member may be previously formed in a tubular shape. Instead, two or three mesh strips may be rolled into a tubular shape and fitted into the sealed container 2.
- the inflow barrier 81 is provided in the inflow space 11. Therefore, in the case where the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the first pipe 3A, it is possible to reliably prevent the gas-liquid two-phase fluid released from the end of the first pipe 3A into the inflow space 11 from flowing directly into the end of the second pipe 3B in the inflow space 11 and being discharged outside without passing through the separation space. Thereby, the separation efficiency of the gas liquid separator 1F can be further improved. The same applies when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the second pipe 3B.
- the outflow barrier 82 is provided in the liquid reservoir 13. Therefore, in the case where the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the first pipe 3A, it is possible to prevent a portion of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing from the first pipe 3A from leaking through the first liquid outlet port 31 and thus to prevent a gas contained in the leaked fluid from being mixed with the liquid and being discharged outside together with the liquid through the second pipe 3B of the liquid outlet port 32. Thereby, the separation efficiency of the gas liquid separator 1F can be further improved. The same applies when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the second pipe 3B.
- the separation member 6 is illustrated in FIG. 12 , but the separation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 14 shows a gas liquid separator 1G according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
- each of the first pipe 3A and the second pipe 3B is provided with a movable valve 35 therein.
- the movable valves 35 is axially slidably fitted into the first pipe 3A or the second pipe 3B, and has a tubular shape to prevent closing of the first pipe 3A or the second pipe 3B.
- the movable range of the open/close valve 35 is limited to the vicinity of the liquid outlet port 31 or 32 by projections or the like provided inside the first pipe 3A or the second pipe 3B.
- the lower limit of the movable range is a first position where the movable valve 35 is located below the liquid outlet port 31 or 32 so as to open the liquid outlet port 31 or 32
- the upper limit of the movable range is a second position where the movable valve 35 closes the liquid outlet port 31 or 32.
- FIG. 14 shows a state in which the movable valve 35 in the first pipe 3A is located at the second position, and the movable valve 35 in the second pipe 3B is located at the first position.
- the operation of the gas liquid separator 1G of the present embodiment is the same as that of the gas liquid separator 1B of the second embodiment, except for the movement of the movable valve 35.
- the movable valve 35 is normally located at the first position by gravity.
- a pressure loss occurs in the first pipe 3A when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid passes through the open/close valve 35.
- the pressure above the open/close valve 35 on the downstream side of the flow becomes lower than the pressure below the open/close valve 35 on the upstream side of the flow. Due to this pressure difference, the open/close valve 35 is lifted against gravity and held at the second position to close the liquid outlet port 31. Therefore, all of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid introduced into the first pipe 3A flows into the inflow space 11 through the end of the first pipe 3A without leaking from the liquid outlet port 31.
- the open/close valve 35 is maintained at the first position by gravity and thus the liquid outlet port 32 is kept open. Therefore, the open/close valve 35 never blocks the discharge of the liquid through the liquid outlet port 32. Furthermore, since the open/close valve 35 is pressed downward due to pressure loss that occurs when the liquid to be discharged passes through the movable valve 35, vibration or the like of the open/close valve 35 can be prevented.
- the liquid outlet port 31 of the first pipe 3A is closed by the open/close valve 35 and the liquid outlet port 32 of the second pipe 3B is kept open.
- the liquid outlet port 32 of the second pipe 3B is closed by the open/close valve 35 and the liquid outlet port 31 of the first pipe 3A is kept open.
- the movable valve 35 is actuated by the flow of the fluid and there is no need to use a special member such as a spring. Therefore, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained with a low-cost configuration.
- the separation member 6 is illustrated in FIG. 14 , but the separation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment.
Description
- The present invention relates to a gas liquid separator suitable for miniaturization and a refrigeration cycle apparatus using this gas liquid separator.
- Gas liquid separators for separating a gas-liquid two-phase fluid into a liquid and a gas using centrifugal force created by a swirling flow are conventionally known. Such gas liquid separators must have a size large enough to create strong centrifugal force. On the other hand, gas liquid separators using surface tension have recently been proposed. Since these gas liquid separators using surface tension do not involve the formation of a swirling flow, their size can be reduced.
- For example,
Patent Literature 1 discloses a gasliquid separator 100 as shown inFIG. 15 . In this gasliquid separator 100, aninlet pipe 151 for introducing a gas-liquid two-phase fluid into a sealedcontainer 100 is connected to the top of a sealedcontainer 110, and aliquid outlet pipe 152 for discharging a liquid separated in the sealedcontainer 110 to the outside of the sealedcontainer 110 is connected to the side portion of the sealedcontainer 110. Agas outlet pipe 153 for discharging a gas separated in the sealedcontainer 110 to the outside of the sealedcontainer 110 extends through the bottom of the sealedcontainer 110. - In the sealed
container 110, apartition plate 120 that partitions the inside of the sealedcontainer 110 into aninflow space 111 and an enlargedspace 113 and forms an annularnarrow space 112 between thespaces container 110 is disposed. Thus, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid introduced into theinflow space 111 through theinlet pipe 151 is allowed to flow into the enlargedspace 113 through thenarrow space 112, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path increases rapidly from thenarrow space 112 to the enlargedspace 113. - Furthermore, a
separation member 130 having a tubular shape along the inner peripheral face of the sealedcontainer 110 is disposed beneath and in contact with thepartition plate 120. Thisseparation member 130 has a plurality of vertical grooves opening radially inwardly. The presence of these vertical grooves in a region where the cross-sectional area of the flow path rapidly increases allows the gas and the liquid to be separated using surface tension. More specifically, the liquid in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing into the vertical grooves is retained in the grooves by surface tension, and only the gas flows out of the grooves. The liquid separated in theseparation member 130 is collected in the lower part of the sealedcontainer 110 and discharged outside through theliquid outlet pipe 152. On the other hand, the separated gas is collected in the center of the sealedcontainer 100 and discharged outside through thegas outlet pipe 153.
US patent 5,692,394 A discloses a gas-liquid separator for a heat pump type air conditioning system using a gas-injection cycle, capable of switching its mode of operation between heating and cooling modes. The gas-liquid separator includes a reservoir for receiving refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase flow; an exit port which opens at a upper portion of the reservoir and allows a refrigerant gas to flow out of the reservoir, first and second ports which are provided at a upper part within the reservoir above the level of the refrigerant liquid and allows the refrigerant to flow into and out of the reservoir.
Further,JP patent S61 114058 -
- Patent Literature 1:
WO 2007-055386 A1 - Patent Literature 2:
US 5,692,394 A - Patent Literature 3:
JP S61-114058 A - For example, in a refrigeration cycle apparatus used for air conditioning, the flow direction of a refrigerant flowing in a heat pump circuit in a heating operation is opposite to the flow direction thereof in a cooling operation. Therefore, there is a demand for a reversible-flow gas-liquid separator. However, in the gas-
liquid separator 100 shown inFIG. 15 , the fluid flows in only one direction. Therefore, it cannot be used in a section where the flow of the fluid is reversed. - Under these circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reversible-flow gas liquid separator suitable for miniaturization and a refrigeration cycle apparatus using this gas liquid separator.
- The present invention provides a gas liquid separator including: a sealed container including an upper cover portion that disperses an upward-injected gas-liquid two-phase fluid and directs the dispersed gas-liquid two-phase fluid downward so that a liquid contained in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is pressed against an inner face of the upper cover portion and the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is converted into a two-layer flow including a liquid layer and a gas-rich layer, a tubular portion that allows the liquid layer to flow down along an inner peripheral face of the tubular portion, and a lower cover portion that retains the liquid layer to form a liquid reservoir; a guide member that is disposed in the sealed container to form an inflow space between the guide member and the upper cover portion and to form a flow passage for the two-layer flow between the guide member and the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion, and that guides the gas-rich layer down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular potion; a first pipe that extends through the lower cover portion and through the guide member so that one end of the first pipe opens into the inflow space, and that is provided with a liquid outlet port in a portion submerged in the liquid reservoir; a second pipe that extends through the lower cover portion and through the guide member so that one end of the second pipe opens into the inflow space, and that is provided with a liquid outlet port in a portion submerged in the liquid reservoir; and a gas outlet pipe for discharging, to the outside of the sealed container, a gas resulting from removal of a liquid from the gas-rich layer by surface tension of the liquid layer. In this gas liquid separator, the first pipe and the second pipe are configured such that when one of the first pipe and the second pipe is used to introduce the gas-liquid two-phase fluid into the inflow space from outside the sealed container, the other one is used to discharge the liquid in the liquid reservoir to the outside of the sealed container through the liquid outlet port of the other one while forming a liquid surface at a level above the liquid outlet port.
- The present invention also provides a refrigeration cycle apparatus including: a heat pump circuit including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between indoor air and the refrigerant, a first expansion mechanism and a second expansion mechanism that expand the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant, and the gas liquid separator described above, in which the first pipe is connected to the second expansion mechanism and the second pipe is connected to the first expansion mechanism; an injection pipe that connects the gas outlet pipe of the gas liquid separator and the compressor so that the refrigerant is injected into the compressor during compression of the refrigerant; and a switching means capable of switching a direction of the refrigerant flowing in the heat pump circuit to a first direction along which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is directed to the indoor heat exchanger in a heating operation and to a second direction along which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is directed to the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling operation.
- In the above configuration, the direction of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is completely reversed by the upper cover portion of the sealed container. Therefore, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid can be separated into a gas and a liquid to some extent by centrifugal force (inertial force) created by the reversal of the direction. In addition, since the two-layer flow thus formed flows down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion, the gas and the liquid can be separated almost completely by surface tension of the liquid layer. This configuration allows miniaturization of the gas-liquid separator.
- In addition, in the above configuration, when the one of the first pipe and the second pipe serves as an inlet pipe of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid, the other one serves as an outlet pipe of the liquid. The functions of the first pipe and the second pipe are switched automatically according to the nature of the fluid only by selecting the pipe to which the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is to be supplied. Thus, with such a simple configuration suitable for miniaturization, a reversible-flow gas liquid separator can be obtained.
-
-
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas liquid separator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line II-II inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3A is an enlarged view showing a circular liquid outlet port. -
FIG. 3B is an enlarged view showing an oval liquid outlet port. -
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus using the gas liquid separator shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas liquid separator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line VI-VI inFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas liquid separator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas liquid separator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line IX-IX inFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas liquid separator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line XI-XI inFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas liquid separator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 13A is a transverse sectional view taken along the line XIIIA-XIIIA inFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 13B is a transverse sectional view taken along the line XIIIB-XIIIB inFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas liquid separator according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional gas liquid separator. - Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.
-
FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 show agas liquid separator 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thisgas liquid separator 1A includes a sealedcontainer 2 extending in the vertical direction, and three pipes extending from the outside of the sealedcontainer 2 to the inside thereof, that is, afirst pipe 3A, asecond pipe 3B, and agas outlet pipe 4. In the present embodiment, thegas outlet pipe 4 is disposed along the central axis of the sealedcontainer 2, and thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B are disposed on 180-degree opposite sides of thegas outlet pipe 4. - The sealed
container 2 includes a hemisphericalupper cover portion 21 opening downward, atubular portion 22 having a tubular shape, and a hemisphericallower cover portion 23 opening upward. Theupper cover portion 21 disperses an upward-injected gas-liquid two-phase fluid and directs the dispersed fluid downward so that a liquid contained in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is pressed against the inner face of theupper cover portion 21 and the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is converted into a two-layer flow F including a liquid layer F1 and a gas-rich layer F2. The upward direction in which the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is injected does not necessarily have to be parallel to the vertical direction. It may be a direction slightly inclined from the vertical direction. Thetubular portion 22 allows the liquid layer F1 to flow down along the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22. Thelower cover portion 23 retains the liquid layer F1 to form aliquid reservoir 13. - The
upper cover portion 21 and thelower cover portion 23 do not necessarily have to be hemispherical. For example, they may have a bucket-like shape having a disc-shaped main wall and a peripheral wall raised from the main wall. The heights of theupper cover portion 21 and thelower cover portion 23 are not particularly limited, and they may be arbitrarily determined. - In the sealed
container 2, aguide member 5 is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper part of thetubular portion 22. Theguide member 5 forms aninflow space 11 between theguide member 5 and theupper cover portion 21, and forms aflow passage 15 for the two-layer flow F between theguide member 5 and the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22. Theguide member 5 guides the gas-rich layer F2 down along the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22. Aseparation space 12 is formed below theguide member 5. In other words, theguide member 5 partitions the inside of the sealedcontainer 2 into theinflow space 11 and theseparation space 12 such that thesespaces tubular portion 22. - The
guide member 5 has an axisymmetric container-like shape opening downward and having aceiling portion 51 and aside wall portion 52 hanging from the outer edge of theceiling portion 51. One end of thegas outlet pipe 4 is located in a space surrounded by theguide member 5. Theceiling portion 51 has a disc shape and forms a flat top face of theguide member 5. Theside wall portion 52 forms a tapered outer peripheral face of theguide member 5 having a diameter gradually increasing downward and facing the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22. The top face of theguide member 5 does not necessarily have to be flat. It may be a dome-like curved surface leading to the outer peripheral face of theguide member 5, or may be a conical surface. The shape of theguide member 5 does not necessarily have to be an axisymmetric shape or a container-like shape. - The
gas outlet pipe 4 is a pipe for discharging, to the outside of the sealedcontainer 2, the gas resulting from removal of the liquid from the gas-rich layer F2 by surface tension of the liquid layer F1. Specifically, thegas outlet pipe 4 extends through thelower cover portion 23 of the sealedcontainer 2 so that one end of thegas outlet pipe 4 opens upward. In the present embodiment, thegas outlet pipe 4 extends in the vertical direction. - The
first pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B extend through thelower cover portion 23 of the sealedcontainer 2 and through theceiling portion 51 of theguide member 5 so that one end of thefirst pipe 3A and one end of thesecond pipe 3B open into theinflow space 11. Thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B may be bent at an angle of approximately 90 degrees in theliquid reservoir 13, but preferably, they are substantially straight. As used herein, "a substantially straight pipe" refers to a pipe being straight or being bent at an angle of 10 degrees or less. In the present embodiment, thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B extend in the vertical direction. - The
first pipe 3A is provided with aliquid outlet port 31 in a portion submerged in theliquid reservoir 13, and thesecond pipe 3B is provided with aliquid outlet port 32 in a portion submerged in theliquid reservoir 13. Thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B are configured such that when one of thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B is used to introduce the gas-liquid two-phase fluid into theinflow space 11 from outside the sealedcontainer 2, the other one is used to discharge the liquid in theliquid reservoir 13 to the outside of the sealedcontainer 2 through the liquid outlet port (31 or 32) of the other one while forming a liquid surface at a level above the liquid outlet port (31 or 32). - Specifically, the
liquid outlet ports container 13 so that theports liquid reservoir 13 even if the level of the liquid surface falls. - Here, it is assumed that there is no pressure loss anywhere but between the
inflow space 11 and theseparation space 12 in the sealedcontainer 2, and the height from the level of theliquid outlet ports liquid reservoir 13, the height from the level of theliquid outlet ports first pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B, the density of the liquid, and the density of the gas are defined as H1[m], H2[m], ρ1[kg/m3], and ρ2[kg/m3], respectively. - When the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the
first pipe 3A, the liquid flows into thesecond pipe 3B through theliquid outlet port 32 and forms, in thesecond pipe 3B, a liquid surface at a level close to the level of the liquid surface in theliquid reservoir 13. Conversely, when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thesecond pipe 3B, the liquid flows into thefirst pipe 3A through theliquid outlet port 31 and forms, in thefirst pipe 3A, a liquid surface at a level close to the level of the liquid surface in theliquid reservoir 13. - When the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the
first pipe 3A, assuming that the gas flows into thesecond pipe 3B through the end thereof, a pressure PIN in thesecond pipe 3B relative to a reference pressure at theliquid outlet port 32 is represented as follows:inflow space 11.
A pressure POUT in theliquid reservoir 13 relative to the reference pressure at theliquid outlet port 32 is represented as follows:separation space 12.
Based on the relationship with a pressure loss ΔP between theinflow space 11 and theseparation space 12, the pressure P1 is represented as follows:equations 1 to 3:second pipe 3B through the end thereof and to allow the liquid to be discharged through theliquid outlet port 32 so as to form the liquid surface in thesecond pipe 3B, the followingequation 5 is derived. Thisequation 5 is also satisfied when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thesecond pipe 3B.guide member 5 and the positions of theliquid outlet ports inflow space 11 and theseparation space 12, that is, the pressure loss ΔP that occurs in theflow passage 15 formed between theguide member 5 and the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22 of the sealedcontainer 2 and in the vicinity of theflow passage 15 satisfiesEquation 5. - The shape of the
liquid outlet ports FIG. 3A , but it may be oval as shown inFIG. 3B . The area of theliquid outlet port 31 is set to be equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path in thefirst pipe 3A, and the area of theliquid outlet port 32 is set to be equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path in thesecond pipe 3B. - Next, the operation of the
gas liquid separator 1A is described. The only difference between the case where the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thefirst pipe 3A and the case where the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thesecond pipe 3B is that the functions of thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B are reversed. Therefore, only the case where the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thefirst pipe 3A is described below. - The gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced into the sealed
container 2 through thefirst pipe 3A. Theliquid outlet port 31 provided in thefirst pipe 3A opens laterally, but since the flow tends to go straight by inertia, most of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flows into theinflow space 11 from the end of thefirst pipe 3A. Even if some of the liquid in theliquid reservoir 13 flows into thefirst pipe 3A through theliquid outlet port 31 or some of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flows out of thefirst pipe 3A through theliquid outlet port 31, there is no particular problem. - Since the
inflow space 11 is covered over by theupper cover portion 21, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing into theinflow space 11 is dispersed around. The dispersed gas-liquid two-phase fluid may or may not hit theupper cover portion 21. Then, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid changes to the two-layer flow F while gradually changing its direction downward. Specifically, since the direction of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is completely reversed by theupper cover portion 21 of the sealedcontainer 2, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid can be separated into a gas and a liquid to some extent by centrifugal force (inertial force) created by the reversal of the direction. - The two-layer flow F created by the
upper cover portion 21 passes through theflow passage 15 and flows down along the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22. Since the downflow speed of the gas-rich layer F2 is higher than that of the liquid layer F1, the gas-rich layer F2 slides down the surface of the liquid layer F1. Therefore, most of the liquid is removed from the gas-rich layer F2 by the surface tension of the liquid layer F1, and thus the two-layer flow F is separated into a gas and a liquid. - The gas thus separated flows upward in the
separation space 12 and then changes its direction downward in the space surrounded by theguide member 5. At this time, traces of liquid mist contained in the gas are removed by centrifugal force and gravity. Then, the gas is discharged to the outside of the sealedcontainer 2 through thegas outlet pipe 4. - On the other hand, the separated liquid flows down along the inner peripheral face of the
tubular portion 22 to form theliquid reservoir 13, and then flows into thesecond pipe 3B through theliquid outlet port 32 provided in thesecond pipe 3B to open laterally and is discharged to the outside of the sealedcontainer 2. At this time, the liquid flows into thesecond pipe 3B through theliquid outlet port 32 and forms, in thesecond pipe 3B, a liquid surface at a level close to the level of the liquid surface in theliquid reservoir 13, as described above. Thus, the liquid blocks thesecond pipe 3B, and this blocking action prevents the gas-liquid two-phase fluid in theinflow space 11 from being discharged to the outside of the sealedcontainer 2 through thesecond pipe 3B. - As described above, in the present embodiment, the reversal of the direction of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid by the
upper cover portion 21 and the surface tension of the liquid layer F1 make it possible to separate the gas-liquid two-phase fluid into a gas and a liquid almost completely, resulting in miniaturization of the gas-liquid separator 1A. - In addition, when the one of the
first pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B serves as an inlet pipe of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid, the other one serves as an outlet pipe of the liquid. The functions of thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B are switched automatically according to the nature of the fluid only by selecting the pipe to which the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is to be supplied. Thus, with such a simple configuration suitable for miniaturization, a reversible-flow gas liquid separator can be obtained. Furthermore, since there is no need to switch the flow path by an actuator or the like in the sealedcontainer 2, the cost can be reduced compared to conventional gas liquid separators using a check valve or the like. - In addition, since the outer peripheral face of the
guide member 5 has a tapered shape having a diameter gradually increasing downward, it is possible to increase the flow rate of the gas-rich layer F2 gradually while allowing the two-layer flow F to flow smoothly into theflow passage 15. - Furthermore, since the end of the
gas outlet pipe 4 is located in the space surrounded by theguide member 5, the downward flow direction of the gas along the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22 is changed to the upward direction in theseparation space 12. This change in the flow direction to a direction against gravity allows traces of liquid contained in the gas to be removed by gravity and centrifugal force. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 opens upward, the upward flow of the gas is changed to the downward flow in the space surrounded by theguide member 5. As a result, traces of liquid contained in the gas can be removed more precisely by centrifugal force created by the change in the flow direction. - Moreover, since the
first pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B are substantially straight, theliquid outlet ports liquid reservoir 13. Therefore, even if the liquid surface level changes, the height H1 from the level of theliquid outlet ports liquid reservoir 13 can be kept high enough. Thereby, the stability of the separation performance of thegas liquid separator 1A can be improved. - Next, a
refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 using thegas liquid separator 1A is described with reference toFIG. 4 . - This
refrigeration cycle apparatus 9 is used for air conditioning for heating and cooling a room, and includes aheat pump circuit 90 in which a refrigerant is circulated and aninjection pipe 97 through which the refrigerant is bypassed. - The
heat pump circuit 90 includes acompressor 91 that compresses the refrigerant, anindoor heat exchanger 93 that exchanges heat between the indoor air and the refrigerant, afirst expansion mechanism 94 and asecond expansion mechanism 95 that expand the refrigerant, and anoutdoor heat exchanger 96 that exchanges heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant. Thegas liquid separator 1A is incorporated in theheat pump circuit 90 such that thefirst pipe 3A is connected to thesecond expansion mechanism 95 and thesecond pipe 3B is connected to thefirst expansion mechanism 94. - The
compressor 91 has a configuration in which a low-stage working chamber and a high-stage working chamber are connected by an internal flow path. Theinjection pipe 97 connects thegas outlet pipe 4 of the gas-liquid separator 1A and the internal flow path of thecompressor 91 so that the refrigerant is injected into thecompressor 91 during the compression of the refrigerant. - The
heat pump circuit 90 is further provided with a four-way valve 92 as a switching means. The four-way valve 92 switches the direction of the refrigerant flowing in theheat pump circuit 90 to a first direction along which the refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 91 is directed to theindoor heat exchanger 93 in the heating operation and to a second direction along which the refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 91 is directed to theoutdoor heat exchanger 96 in the cooling operation. In the heating operation, the refrigerant absorbs heat in theoutdoor heat exchanger 96 and releases heat in theindoor heat exchanger 93, while in the cooling operation, the refrigerant absorbs heat in theindoor heat exchanger 93 and releases heat in theoutdoor heat exchanger 96. The switching means of the present invention is not limited to the four-way valve 92, and it may be a bridge circuit, for example. - In the case where the conventional
gas liquid separator 100 as shown inFIG. 15 is used in therefrigeration cycle apparatus 9 in which the flow direction of the refrigerant in the heating operation is reversed from the flow direction in the cooling operation, another four-way valve needs to be added to maintain the direction of the refrigerant flowing into thegas liquid separator 100. In contrast, the use of the reversible-flowgas liquid separator 1A in therefrigeration cycle apparatus 9 eliminates the need to provide such an additional four-way valve, and thus achieves an injection cycle in which a gas refrigerant in the expansion process is injected from thegas liquid separator 1A to a point in the middle of the compression process. Thereby, the efficiency of therefrigeration cycle apparatus 9 can be increased by a decrease in the pressure loss of the refrigerant pipe in theindoor heat exchanger 93 in the cooling operation or theoutdoor heat exchanger 96 in the heating operation that exchanges heat with a low-temperature side heat source using the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant, a decrease in the compression power of thecompressor 91, and the like. In addition, the discharge temperature at a low outdoor temperature which causes an increase in the compression ratio can be lowered by the cooling effect of the refrigerant injected in the middle of the compression process. Thereby, the upper limit of the rotational speed of thecompressor 91 can be relaxed, and thus the heating capacity can be improved. -
FIG. 5 andFIG. 6 show agas liquid separator 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. This also applies to the third to seventh embodiments described below. - In the present embodiment, a
tubular separation member 6 is disposed along the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22 and below theflow passage 15 formed between the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22 and the outer peripheral face of theguide member 5. Except for this, thegas liquid separator 1B has the same configuration as that of thegas liquid separator 1A of the first embodiment. - The
separation member 6 may be disposed spaced apart below theguide member 5, or may be disposed in contact with theguide member 5. Instead, the upper part of theseparation member 6 may protrude slightly into theflow passage 15. The liquid surface in theliquid reservoir 13 is normally maintained at a level below theseparation member 6 in a stable state. - The
separation member 6 makes the surface area of the liquid layer F1 on theseparation member 6 larger than that of the liquid layer F1 on the inner peripheral face of thetubular portion 22. As thisseparation member 6, a corrugated member having a plurality of vertical grooves or a mesh member can be used. In the present embodiment, an accordion-folded corrugated member having vertical grooves opening radially inwardly and vertical grooves opening radially outwardly that are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction is used. The corrugated member may have only the vertical grooves opening radially inwardly. - The
separation member 6 is supported from below by a supportingplate 65. In the present embodiment, the supportingplate 65 is fixed to thegas outlet pipe 4 by brazing or the like, and thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B extend through through-holes provided in the supportingplate 65. The supportingplate 65 may be fixed to thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B. - In the present embodiment in which the
separation member 6 is provided, the surface area of the liquid layer F2 can be increased in the radial direction compared to that in the first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height of theseparation space 12 so as to further reduce the size of thegas liquid separator 1B or to improve the separation efficiency. - In addition, since a corrugated member having a plurality of vertical grooves is used as the
separation member 6, it is possible to retain the liquid in the grooves by surface tension and introduce the liquid in the grooves smoothly into theliquid reservoir 13 by gravity. -
FIG. 7 shows a gas liquid separator 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, apartition member 7 is disposed in theinflow space 11 so as to divide theinflow space 11 into an upper space and a lower space. Except for this, the gas liquid separator 1C has the same configuration as that of thegas liquid separator 1B of the second embodiment. - Like the
upper cover portion 21 of the sealedcontainer 2, thepartition member 7 disperses the upward-injected gas-liquid two-phase fluid and directs the dispersed gas-liquid two-phase fluid downward so that a liquid contained in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is pressed against the inner face of thepartition member 7 and the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is converted into a two-layer flow F including a liquid layer F1 and a gas-rich layer F2. - In the present embodiment, the
partition member 7 has a container-like shape opening downward, which is similar to the shape of theguide member 5, and thesecond pipe 3B extends through thepartition member 7. However, the shape of thepartition member 7 is not limited to this shape, and it may be a hemispherical shape opening downward, for example. Instead of thesecond pipe 3B, thefirst pipe 3A may extend through thepartition member 7. - The basic operation of the gas liquid separator 1C of the present embodiment is the same as that of the
gas liquid separator 1B of the second embodiment. However, when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thefirst pipe 3A, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is directed from the space below thepartition member 7 to theflow passage 15, and when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thesecond pipe 3B, the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is directed from the space above thepartition member 7 to theflow passage 15. - As described in the first embodiment, when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the
first pipe 3A, a pressure difference between the gas and the liquid at the position of theliquid outlet port 32 of thesecond pipe 3B is effective in preventing the gas-liquid two-phase fluid that has flowed into theinflow space 11 through the end of thefirst pipe 3A from being discharged through the end of thesecond pipe 3B. There is another effect. The presence of thepartition member 7 spatially separates the end of thefirst pipe 3A and the end of thesecond pipe 3B and prevents these ends from being linearly connected to each other. With such a simple structure, the effect of preventing the gas-liquid two-phase fluid from flowing from thefirst pipe 3A directly to thesecond pipe 3B in theinflow space 11 can be further enhanced, and the separation performance of the gas liquid separator 1C can be further improved. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thesecond pipe 3B. - The
separation member 6 is illustrated inFIG. 7 , but theseparation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment. -
FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 show agas liquid separator 1D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B are disposed adjacent to each other, and thegas outlet pipe 4 extends through thetubular portion 22 and theside wall portion 52 of theguide member 5 so that the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 opens laterally toward both thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B. - In this configuration, since the
first pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B can be disposed adjacent to each other, the diameter of the sealedcontainer 2 can be reduced. Thus, thegas liquid separator 1D can be compactly configured. As a result, for example, the flexibility in the placement of the gas liquid separator in a limited space of a housing of an outdoor unit for air conditioning is enhanced, and the effect of reducing the cost by reducing the size of the components also can be expected. - In addition, since the end of the
gas outlet pipe 4 opens laterally toward thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B, the gas flowing upward in theseparation space 12 turns laterally along thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B in a space opposite to thegas outlet pipe 4, and then flows into the end of thegas outlet pipe 4. Thereby, even if the gas and the liquid are not completely separated in the sealedcontainer 2 and traces of liquid mist remain in the gas, it is possible to hit or press the liquid mist against the side face of thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B by centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the gas. Therefore, even the compactly configuredgas liquid separator 1D can achieve a high separation effect. - In
FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 , the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 opens toward both thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B disposed adjacent to each other so as to maximize the effect, but needless to say, the same effect can be obtained if the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 opens toward at least one of thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B. - Also needless to say, the separation effect increases as the end of the
gas outlet pipe 4 approaches thefirst pipe 3A or thesecond pipe 3B. However, a too small distance between them causes an increase in pressure loss that occurs when the gas flows into thegas outlet pipe 4. This is not preferable. In view of the balance between the separation effect and the pressure loss, it is preferable to set the distance from the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 to thefirst pipe 3A or thesecond pipe 3B in the direction in which the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 opens to at least 0.5 times but not more than 1.5 times the outer diameter of thegas outlet pipe 4 so that the pressure loss near the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 becomes equal to the pressure loss of the flow in thegas outlet pipe 4. - The
separation member 6 is illustrated inFIG. 8 , but theseparation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment. -
FIG. 10 andFIG. 11 show agas liquid separator 1E according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B are disposed adjacent to each other, and thegas outlet pipe 4 extends through theupper cover portion 21 and theceiling portion 51 of theguide member 5 so that the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 opens downward. - In this configuration, since the
first pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B can be disposed adjacent to each other, the diameter of the sealedcontainer 2 can be reduced, as in the fourth embodiment. In addition, the end of thegas outlet pipe 4 is located at the uppermost position in the space surrounded by theguide member 5. Therefore, even if the gas and the liquid are not completely separated in the sealedcontainer 2 and traces of liquid mist remain in the gas, it is possible to obtain a pronounced effect of separating the liquid mist from the gas by gravity in theseparation space 12. - The
separation member 6 is illustrated inFIG. 10 , but theseparation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment. -
FIG. 12 ,FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B show agas liquid separator 1F according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, aninflow barrier 81 that partitions theinflow space 11 into afirst pipe 3A side space and asecond pipe 3B side space and anoutflow barrier 82 that partitions theliquid reservoir 13 into afirst pipe 3A side reservoir and asecond pipe 3B side reservoir are provided in the sealedcontainer 2. In addition, in the present embodiment, a mesh member made of metal or resin is used as theseparation member 6, and the upper part of theseparation member 6 protrudes slightly into the flow passasge 15 and theseparation member 6 and theguide member 5 are in close contact with each other. Except for these, thegas liquid separator 1F has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. - The
inflow barrier 81 is fixed to the upper face of theguide member 5, but it may be fixed to the inner face of theupper cover portion 21. Theinflow barrier 81 only has to be located on a straight line connecting the end of thefirst pipe 3A and the end of thesecond pipe 3B to prevent the gas-liquid two-phase fluid released from the end of thefirst pipe 3A (or the end of thesecond pipe 3B) into theinflow space 11 from flowing directly into the end of thesecond pipe 3B (or the end of thefirst pipe 3A). That is, in theinflow space 11, thefirst pipe 3A side space and thesecond pipe 3B side space may communicate with each other above or below the end of thefirst pipe 3A and the end of thesecond pipe 3B or in front of or behind the longitudinal section inFIG. 12 . - The
outflow barrier 82 is fixed to the sealedcontainer 2 or thegas outlet pipe 4. Theoutflow barrier 82 only has to be located on a straight line connecting theliquid outlet ports liquid outlet port 31 of thefirst pipe 3A (or theliquid outlet port 32 of thesecond pipe 3B) from flowing directly into theliquid outlet port 32 of thesecond pipe 3B (or theliquid outlet port 31 of thefirst pipe 3A). That is, in theliquid reservoir 13, thefirst pipe 3A side reservoir and thesecond pipe 3B side reservoir may communicate with each other above or below theliquid outlet ports FIG. 12 . - The use of a mesh member as the
separation member 6 as in the present embodiment allows a compact configuration with a high separation efficiency to be achieved at low cost. The mesh member may be previously formed in a tubular shape. Instead, two or three mesh strips may be rolled into a tubular shape and fitted into the sealedcontainer 2. - Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the
inflow barrier 81 is provided in theinflow space 11. Therefore, in the case where the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thefirst pipe 3A, it is possible to reliably prevent the gas-liquid two-phase fluid released from the end of thefirst pipe 3A into theinflow space 11 from flowing directly into the end of thesecond pipe 3B in theinflow space 11 and being discharged outside without passing through the separation space. Thereby, the separation efficiency of thegas liquid separator 1F can be further improved. The same applies when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thesecond pipe 3B. - In addition, the
outflow barrier 82 is provided in theliquid reservoir 13. Therefore, in the case where the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thefirst pipe 3A, it is possible to prevent a portion of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing from thefirst pipe 3A from leaking through the firstliquid outlet port 31 and thus to prevent a gas contained in the leaked fluid from being mixed with the liquid and being discharged outside together with the liquid through thesecond pipe 3B of theliquid outlet port 32. Thereby, the separation efficiency of thegas liquid separator 1F can be further improved. The same applies when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thesecond pipe 3B. - The
separation member 6 is illustrated inFIG. 12 , but theseparation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment. -
FIG. 14 shows agas liquid separator 1G according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In thepresent embodiment 6, each of thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B is provided with amovable valve 35 therein. - The
movable valves 35 is axially slidably fitted into thefirst pipe 3A or thesecond pipe 3B, and has a tubular shape to prevent closing of thefirst pipe 3A or thesecond pipe 3B. The movable range of the open/close valve 35 is limited to the vicinity of theliquid outlet port first pipe 3A or thesecond pipe 3B. The lower limit of the movable range is a first position where themovable valve 35 is located below theliquid outlet port liquid outlet port movable valve 35 closes theliquid outlet port -
FIG. 14 shows a state in which themovable valve 35 in thefirst pipe 3A is located at the second position, and themovable valve 35 in thesecond pipe 3B is located at the first position. - The operation of the
gas liquid separator 1G of the present embodiment is the same as that of thegas liquid separator 1B of the second embodiment, except for the movement of themovable valve 35. - The
movable valve 35 is normally located at the first position by gravity. In the case where the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through thefirst pipe 3A (hereinafter referred to as a "first operation mode"), a pressure loss occurs in thefirst pipe 3A when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid passes through the open/close valve 35. As a result, the pressure above the open/close valve 35 on the downstream side of the flow becomes lower than the pressure below the open/close valve 35 on the upstream side of the flow. Due to this pressure difference, the open/close valve 35 is lifted against gravity and held at the second position to close theliquid outlet port 31. Therefore, all of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid introduced into thefirst pipe 3A flows into theinflow space 11 through the end of thefirst pipe 3A without leaking from theliquid outlet port 31. - On the other hand, in the
second pipe 3B from which the liquid is discharged in the first operation mode, the open/close valve 35 is maintained at the first position by gravity and thus theliquid outlet port 32 is kept open. Therefore, the open/close valve 35 never blocks the discharge of the liquid through theliquid outlet port 32. Furthermore, since the open/close valve 35 is pressed downward due to pressure loss that occurs when the liquid to be discharged passes through themovable valve 35, vibration or the like of the open/close valve 35 can be prevented. - The same applies when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is introduced through the
second pipe 3B (hereinafter referred to as a "second operation mode"). - In the first operation mode, by the movements of the open/
close valves 35 described above, theliquid outlet port 31 of thefirst pipe 3A is closed by the open/close valve 35 and theliquid outlet port 32 of thesecond pipe 3B is kept open. In the second operation mode in which the flows in thefirst pipe 3A and thesecond pipe 3B are reversed, theliquid outlet port 32 of thesecond pipe 3B is closed by the open/close valve 35 and theliquid outlet port 31 of thefirst pipe 3A is kept open. - Therefore, in both the first operation mode and the second operation mode, it is possible to prevent leakage of a portion of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid through the
liquid outlet ports inflow space 11. Thus, the gas-liquid separation effect can be made more pronounced. Moreover, in the present embodiment, themovable valve 35 is actuated by the flow of the fluid and there is no need to use a special member such as a spring. Therefore, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained with a low-cost configuration. - The
separation member 6 is illustrated inFIG. 14 , but theseparation member 6 can be omitted as in the first embodiment.
Claims (15)
- A gas liquid separator (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G) comprising:a sealed container (2) comprising: an upper cover portion (21); a tubular portion (22) that allows the liquid layer (F1) to flow down along an inner peripheral face of the tubular portion (22); and a lower cover portion (23) that retains the liquid layer (F1) to form a liquid reservoir (13);a guide member (5) that is disposed in the sealed container to form an inflow space (11) between the guide member (5) and the upper cover portion (21);a first pipe (3A) that extends through the guide member (5) so that one end of the first pipe opens into the inflow space (11), and that is provided with a liquid outlet port (31) in a portion submerged in the liquid reservoir (13);a second pipe (3B) that extends through the guide member (5) so that one end of the second pipe opens into the inflow space (11), and that is provided with a liquid outlet port (32) in a portion submerged in the liquid reservoir (13); anda gas outlet pipe (4) for discharging, to the outside of the sealed container (2), a gas, wherein the first pipe (3A) and the second pipe (3B) are configured such that when one of the first pipe (3A) and the second pipe (3B) is used to introduce the gas-liquid two-phase fluid into the inflow space (11) from outside the sealed container (2), the other one is used to discharge the liquid in the liquid reservoir (13) to the outside of the sealed container (2) through the liquid outlet port (31 or 32) of the other one while forming a liquid surface at a level above the liquid outlet port (31 or 32) and such that both the liquid outlet port (31) of the first pipe (3A) and the liquid outlet port (32) of the second pipe (3B) are located at a level below the liquid surface in the liquid reservoir (13),characterized in that the upper cover portion (21) disperses an upward-injected gas-liquid two-phase fluid and directs the dispersed gas-liquid two-phase fluid downward so that a liquid contained in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is pressed against an inner face of the upper cover portion (21) and the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is converted into a two-layer flow (F) including a liquid layer (F1) and a gas-rich layer (F2);that the guide member (5) forms a flow passage (15) for the two-layer flow (F) between the guide member (5) and the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion (22); and guides the gas-rich layer (F2) down along the inner peripheral face of the tubular potion (22),that the gas being discharged by the gas outlet pipe (4), results from removal of a liquid from the gas-rich layer (F2) by surface tension of the liquid layer (F1), andthat the first pipe (3A) and the second pipe (3B) extend through the lower cover portion (23).
- The gas liquid separator (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G) according to claim 1, wherein the guide member (5) has a tapered outer peripheral face (52) having a diameter gradually increasing downward and facing the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion (22).
- The gas liquid separator (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide member (5) has a container-like shape opening downward, and one end of the gas outlet pipe (4) is located in a space surrounded by the guide member (5).
- The gas liquid separator (1D) according to claim 3, wherein the gas outlet pipe (4) extends through the tubular portion (22) and the guide member (5) so that the end of the gas outlet pipe (4) opens laterally toward at least one of the first pipe (3A) and the second pipe (3B).
- The gas liquid separator (1D) according to claim 4, wherein a distance from the end of the gas outlet pipe (4) to the first pipe (3A) or the second pipe (3B) in a direction in which the end of the gas outlet pipe (4) opens is at least 0.5 times but not more than 1.5 times an outer diameter of the gas outlet pipe (4).
- The gas liquid separator (1E) according to claim 3, wherein the gas outlet pipe (4) extends through the upper cover portion (21) and the guide member (5) so that the end of the gas outlet pipe (4) opens downward.
- The gas liquid separator (1C) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a partition member (7) that is disposed to divide the inflow space (11) into an upper space and a lower space, and that disperses the upward-injected gas-liquid two-phase fluid and directs the dispersed gas-liquid two-phase fluid downward so that a liquid contained in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is pressed against an inner face of the partition member (7) and the gas-liquid two-phase fluid is converted into a two-layer flow (F) including a liquid layer (F1) and a gas-rich layer (F2), wherein
one of the first pipe (3A) and the second pipe (3B) extends through the partition member (7). - The gas liquid separator (1F) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an inflow barrier (81) that partitions the inflow space into a first pipe (3A) side space and a second pipe (3B) side space.
- The gas liquid separator (1F) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an outflow barrier (82) that partitions the liquid reservoir (13) into a first pipe (3A) side reservoir and a second pipe (3B) side reservoir.
- The gas liquid separator (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first pipe (3A) and the second pipe (3B) are substantially straight.
- The gas liquid separator (1G) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
each of the first pipe (3A) and the second pipe (3B) is provided with a movable valve (35) having a tubular shape and axially slidably fitted into the first pipe (3A) or the second pipe (3B), and
the movable valve (35) is normally located at a first position by gravity to open the liquid outlet port (31 or 32), and when the gas-liquid two-phase fluid passes through the movable valve (35), the movable valve (35) is lifted by the gas-liquid two-phase fluid to a second position to close the liquid outlet port (31 or 32). - The gas liquid separator (1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a separation member (6) having a tubular shape and disposed below the flow passage (15) and along the inner peripheral face of the tubular portion (22), and that makes a surface area of the liquid layer (F1) on the separation member (6) larger than a surface area of the liquid layer (F1) on the inner peripheral face.
- The gas liquid separator (1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1G) according to claim 12, wherein the separation member (6) is a corrugated member having a plurality of vertical grooves.
- The gas liquid separator (1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G) according to claim 12, wherein the separation member (6) is a mesh member.
- A refrigeration cycle apparatus (9) comprising:a heat pump circuit (90) comprising: a compressor (91) that compresses a refrigerant; an indoor heat exchanger (93) that exchanges heat between indoor air and the refrigerant; a first expansion mechanism (94) and a second expansion mechanism (95) that expand the refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger (96) that exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant; and the gas liquid separator (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G) according to anyone of claims 1 to 14 in which the first pipe (3A) is connected to the second expansion mechanism (95) and the second pipe (3B) is connected to the first expansion mechanism (94);an injection pipe (97) that connects the gas outlet pipe (4) of the gas liquid separator (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G) and the compressor (91) so that the refrigerant is injected into the compressor (91) during compression of the refrigerant; anda switching means (92) capable of switching a direction of the refrigerant flowing in the heat pump circuit (90) to a first direction along which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (91) is directed to the indoor heat exchanger (93) in a heating operation and to a second direction along which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (91) is directed to the outdoor heat exchanger (96) in a cooling operation.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2011024974 | 2011-02-08 | ||
PCT/JP2012/000704 WO2012108149A1 (en) | 2011-02-08 | 2012-02-02 | Gas liquid separator and freeze cycle device |
Publications (4)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2674699A1 EP2674699A1 (en) | 2013-12-18 |
EP2674699A4 EP2674699A4 (en) | 2016-07-20 |
EP2674699B1 true EP2674699B1 (en) | 2018-07-18 |
EP2674699B8 EP2674699B8 (en) | 2018-10-17 |
Family
ID=46638376
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12744185.5A Active EP2674699B8 (en) | 2011-02-08 | 2012-02-02 | Gas liquid separator and refrigeration cycle apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2674699B8 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5887518B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103348203B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012108149A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102878650B (en) * | 2012-09-28 | 2015-02-18 | 东南大学 | Household air conditioner device capable of adjusting temperature and humidity respectively |
CN102878620B (en) * | 2012-11-02 | 2016-09-21 | 北京丰联奥睿科技有限公司 | A kind of two-phase flow refrigeration system |
CN102967094A (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2013-03-13 | 北京德能恒信科技有限公司 | Two-phase flow liquid storage flow stabilizer |
CN104034100B (en) * | 2014-06-05 | 2016-08-24 | 珠海格力节能环保制冷技术研究中心有限公司 | Flash vessel and there is the air conditioning system of this flash vessel |
ES2612306B1 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2018-03-07 | Carlos BAÑO ANTON | Liquid-producing fluid machine |
JP6645845B2 (en) * | 2016-01-26 | 2020-02-14 | 三菱重工サーマルシステムズ株式会社 | Accumulator and compressor with multiple pipes |
CN105928270B (en) * | 2016-06-06 | 2018-12-28 | 大连冷冻机股份有限公司 | Vapor-liquid separation type dispenser |
CN107560251A (en) * | 2016-07-01 | 2018-01-09 | 费希尔久安输配设备(成都)有限公司 | Horizontal gas leakage trap for coolant circulating system |
CN206207818U (en) * | 2016-10-31 | 2017-05-31 | 广东美芝精密制造有限公司 | Reservoir and the compressor assembly with it |
JP6430465B2 (en) * | 2016-12-01 | 2018-11-28 | カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 | Gas-liquid separator |
JP6587602B2 (en) | 2016-12-27 | 2019-10-09 | 株式会社不二工機 | Refrigerant container |
CN106766428A (en) * | 2016-12-30 | 2017-05-31 | 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 | Gas-liquid separator and the refrigeration system with it |
JP7134147B2 (en) * | 2019-04-25 | 2022-09-09 | 株式会社鷺宮製作所 | Expansion valve and refrigeration cycle system |
CN112665227B (en) * | 2019-10-15 | 2022-05-13 | 浙江盾安禾田金属有限公司 | Gas-liquid separator and compression system |
CN115479417B (en) * | 2022-07-27 | 2023-10-27 | 西安交通大学 | Gas-liquid separation device and micro-channel parallel flow condenser |
Family Cites Families (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS61114058A (en) * | 1985-09-19 | 1986-05-31 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Heat pump type refrigerator |
JP2555307Y2 (en) * | 1990-04-02 | 1997-11-19 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Heat pump refrigeration cycle |
JPH04366377A (en) * | 1991-06-11 | 1992-12-18 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Gas-liquid separator |
JPH0594663U (en) * | 1992-06-01 | 1993-12-24 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Refrigerator receiver |
JPH07269992A (en) * | 1994-03-31 | 1995-10-20 | Zexel Corp | Receiver tank for heat pump |
JPH0968371A (en) * | 1995-08-31 | 1997-03-11 | Nippon Soken Inc | Gas/liquid separator |
JPH10325622A (en) * | 1997-03-26 | 1998-12-08 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Refrigerating cycle device |
JP2000241049A (en) * | 1999-02-22 | 2000-09-08 | Zexel Corp | Liquid receiver |
JP2002031438A (en) * | 2000-07-19 | 2002-01-31 | Hitachi Ltd | Air conditioner and manufacturing method therefor |
JP4268994B2 (en) | 2005-11-14 | 2009-05-27 | 日冷工業株式会社 | Gas-liquid separator and refrigeration apparatus equipped with the gas-liquid separator |
JP4810988B2 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2011-11-09 | パナソニック株式会社 | Refrigeration cycle equipment |
JP4661725B2 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2011-03-30 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Refrigeration equipment |
JP5395358B2 (en) * | 2008-01-23 | 2014-01-22 | 日冷工業株式会社 | A gas-liquid separator and a refrigeration apparatus including the gas-liquid separator. |
CN201653015U (en) * | 2010-04-27 | 2010-11-24 | 青岛海信日立空调系统有限公司 | Novel gas-liquid separator |
CN201731697U (en) * | 2010-07-16 | 2011-02-02 | 宁波奥克斯电气有限公司 | Gas-liquid separator |
-
2012
- 2012-02-02 WO PCT/JP2012/000704 patent/WO2012108149A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-02-02 EP EP12744185.5A patent/EP2674699B8/en active Active
- 2012-02-02 CN CN201280007936.6A patent/CN103348203B/en active Active
- 2012-02-02 JP JP2012556776A patent/JP5887518B2/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2012108149A1 (en) | 2012-08-16 |
CN103348203A (en) | 2013-10-09 |
JPWO2012108149A1 (en) | 2014-07-03 |
CN103348203B (en) | 2015-12-09 |
EP2674699A1 (en) | 2013-12-18 |
JP5887518B2 (en) | 2016-03-16 |
EP2674699B8 (en) | 2018-10-17 |
EP2674699A4 (en) | 2016-07-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2674699B1 (en) | Gas liquid separator and refrigeration cycle device | |
JP4356214B2 (en) | Oil separator and outdoor unit | |
WO2013076971A1 (en) | Gas-liquid separator and refrigeration cycle device | |
EP2778569B1 (en) | Air conditioner | |
JP6670196B2 (en) | Gas-liquid separator for compression refrigerators | |
JP2008075894A (en) | Gas-liquid separator | |
JP5757415B2 (en) | Refrigeration equipment such as air conditioners | |
JPH0968371A (en) | Gas/liquid separator | |
CN109579379A (en) | Air regulator and its gas-liquid separator | |
JPH1194401A (en) | Refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment | |
JPH06109345A (en) | Gas-liquid separator | |
JP2013245917A (en) | Gas-liquid separator and refrigerating cycle device | |
CN211345950U (en) | Oil separator, condenser and refrigerating system | |
JP2009008349A (en) | Gas-liquid separator | |
CN203980702U (en) | Air-conditioning system | |
CN113521888B (en) | Oil separator and compressor assembly | |
JP2013120028A (en) | Gas-liquid separator and refrigerating cycle device | |
JPWO2019021431A1 (en) | Refrigeration cycle device | |
JP2015064128A (en) | Accumulator and refrigeration apparatus | |
CN203980734U (en) | Air-conditioning system | |
KR20170082815A (en) | Oil separator and Air conditioner having it | |
JP2013002692A (en) | Gas-liquid separator and refrigerating cycle device | |
WO2024029028A1 (en) | Oil separator and refrigeration cycle device | |
JP2008051374A (en) | Gas-liquid separator | |
KR20060132340A (en) | Oil seperator |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20130909 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LT |
|
RA4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched (corrected) |
Effective date: 20160620 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: F25B 1/10 20060101ALI20160614BHEP Ipc: F25B 1/00 20060101ALI20160614BHEP Ipc: F25B 43/00 20060101AFI20160614BHEP Ipc: F25B 13/00 20060101ALI20160614BHEP |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20170403 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: F25B 43/00 20060101AFI20180116BHEP |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20180206 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
GRAT | Correction requested after decision to grant or after decision to maintain patent in amended form |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNCDEC |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PK Free format text: TITEL Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1019810 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20180815 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602012048606 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PK Free format text: BERICHTIGUNG B8 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20180718 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1019810 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20180718 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181018 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181019 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181018 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181118 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602012048606 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20190423 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20190202 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190202 Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20190228 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190228 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190228 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190202 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190202 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190228 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190228 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20181118 Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190202 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20120202 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180718 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230216 Year of fee payment: 12 |