JP2830622B2 - Oil separator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centrifugal oil separator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As described in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-2949, a centrifugal oil separator for centrifuging lubricating oil contained in a gas-phase refrigerant discharged from a compressor is known. I have. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, the two-phase flow introduced from the inlet pipe (a) is
By rotating the gaseous phase refrigerant and the oil at a high speed by the inverted conical oil separating member (c) in the inside, the oil is pressed against the inner wall surface of the oil separating member (c) by centrifugal force to be separated. The refrigerant exits through the outlet pipe (d) at the top of the container (b), while the oil drops by gravity and the oil return pipe (e) at the bottom inside the container (b)
Through the compressor.

[0003]

However, in such a case, since the oil return pipe (e) has a constant passage area and is always open, the oil return pipe (e) can reduce the amount of oil accumulated in the container (b). It is not possible to follow the appropriate oil return,
When the amount of the separated oil is small, not only the oil but also the gas-phase refrigerant flows into the oil return pipe (e), and there is a problem that the refrigerant circulation amount of the refrigeration cycle is reduced. Conversely, when the amount of the separated oil is large, As a result, the oil flows into the refrigeration cycle in large quantities together with the gas-phase refrigerant through the outlet pipe (d),
There is a problem that the oil separation efficiency is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide an oil separator which prevents the inflow of a gas-phase refrigerant into an oil return pipe and improves the oil separation efficiency.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a vertically oriented outlet pipe (3) and a substantially tangentially oriented inlet pipe (4) are provided at the top of a container (2), respectively. The oil is separated by centrifugal force by rotating the gaseous refrigerant and the oil introduced into the container (2) through the pipe (4) at a high speed in the oil separating member (5) having an inverted conical shape. It is assumed that a centrifugal oil separator (1) returns the used oil through an oil return pipe (7) at the bottom of the container (2).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a float valve means (9) for opening and closing the oil return passage (7a) of the oil return pipe (7) is provided for the oil return pipe (7). The float valve means (9) is raised and lowered in the container (2) in accordance with the amount of oil accumulated in the bottom of the container (2), and has a cylindrical shape so that the oil separating member (5) enters the inside in the raised state. And a valve part (12) arranged at the center of the float part (11) and opening and closing the oil return passage (7a) of the oil return pipe (7) is integrally formed in a vertically movable manner. Make up. Also, a spring member (14) is provided between the float valve means (9) and the oil return pipe (7) to constantly urge the float valve means (9) in the opening direction of the oil return passage (7a). I am wearing it.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the oil return pipe (7) is provided on the upper part of the oil return pipe (7) with a cylindrical guide pipe part (12) with which the valve part (12) is slidably engaged. 8) are continuously provided, and the guide tube portion (8) has a spring member (1) inside.
4) is provided and an oil return hole (8a) is opened in the lower part.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the float (11) has a demister (21) for closing a central opening of the float (11).

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the float valve means (31) has a cylindrical float portion (20) which moves up and down in the container (2) according to the amount of oil accumulated in the bottom of the container (2). 32), (32A) and (32B), and the oil return passage (7a) of the oil return pipe (7) which is arranged at the lower center of the floats (32), (32A) and (32B). An oil return passage (32a) and (32c) are formed near the outer periphery of the floats (32), (32A) and (32B), while being integrally formed with the valve body (33).
Between the float valve means (31) and the oil return pipe (7), a spring member (14) which constantly urges the float valve means (31) in the opening direction of the oil return passage (7a) is interposed. It has a configuration.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the float portion (32A) has a mesh-like oil groove (32b) formed on the upper surface.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when starting or stopping, the pressure difference between the height and the pressure is small, and the float valve means (9) uses the spring force of the spring member (14) to return the oil from the oil return pipe (7). The passage (7a) is opened. Then, as the refrigeration cycle becomes stable, a high-low pressure difference occurs,
Due to the high / low pressure difference, the float valve means (9) closes the oil return pipe (7), and even when the amount of oil is small, the gas-phase refrigerant is supplied to the oil return passage (7) of the oil return pipe (7). Does not flow. Further, when the oil is accumulated in the container (2) by a certain amount or more, the float valve means (9) returns the oil by the action of the spring force by the spring member (14) and the buoyancy by the float valve means (9). The oil return passage (7a) of the pipe (7) is opened, and the oil is returned to the compressor through the oil return passage (7a). Further, since the float portion (11) has a cylindrical shape, when the float portion (11) rises, the inverted conical oil separating member (5) enters into the float portion (11), and the float portion (11) is formed. 11) does not interfere with the oil separating member (5).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the spring member (14) is provided in the cylindrical guide tube (8) with which the valve (12) is slidably engaged, and the guide tube (8) is provided. ), The oil return hole (8a) is opened, so that the position of the spring member (14) is stabilized, and the oil flow through the oil return hole (8a) and the oil return passage (7) is restricted. Without interruption, the float valve means (9) is constantly urged in the opening direction stably.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the demister (2
According to 1), the oil separation portion and the oil sump portion by the oil separation member (5) are separated, so that the separated oil does not drop and is prevented from accumulating in the oil sump portion at the inner bottom of the container (2). The re-scattering of the oil due to the swirling flow formed in the oil separating member (5) is prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the oil floats (32), (32A), and (32B) in the shape of the cylinders allow the oil separating portion by the oil separating member (5) and the oil sump at the bottom of the container (2). Oil separation member (5)
The oil does not re-disperse due to the swirling flow formed in step (1). The oil separated by the oil separating member (5) and accumulated on the upper surfaces of the floats (32), (32A), and (32B) passes through the oil return passages (32a), (32c), and floats (32), (32). It flows below 32A) and (32B) and is stored in the oil reservoir at the inner bottom of the container (2).

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the mesh-shaped oil groove (32b) prevents the oil adhering to the upper surface of the float (32B) from being scattered again.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 showing a schematic structure, (1) is a centrifugal oil separator, and an outlet pipe (3) oriented vertically in the upper part of a vessel (2) and a substantially tangentially oriented oil separator. An inlet pipe (4) is provided for each. Then, the gaseous refrigerant and the oil introduced into the container (2) through the inlet pipe (4) are rotated in the inverted conical oil separating member (5) to generate a high-speed swirling descent flow, The oil is separated by the centrifugal force and adheres to the inner wall surface of the oil separating member (5).
Then, while the gas-phase refrigerant exits through the outlet pipe (3), the attached oil falls along the inner wall surface of the oil separating member (5) and accumulates in the oil reservoir (6) at the bottom of the container (2). , And is returned to a compressor (not shown) through an oil return pipe (7).

The oil return pipe (7) has a cylindrical guide pipe (8) integrally connected to the upper part thereof. The guide tube portion (8) has an oil return hole (8a) formed at the bottom, that is, above the portion connected to the oil return tube (7) (see FIG. 2). Above the oil return pipe (7), a float valve means (9) for opening and closing the oil return passage (7a) of the oil return pipe (7) is provided.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the float valve means (9) has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the container (2), and the amount of oil accumulated in the inner bottom of the container (2). The cylindrical float portion (1) which moves up and down in the container (2) according to
1), a valve part (12) arranged at the lower central part of the float part (11) for opening and closing the oil return passage (7a) of the oil return pipe (7), and an upper part of the valve part (12) Support rod member (13) connecting the lower part of the inner peripheral edge of the float part (11)
And Further, the valve part (12) is located on the upper side, the main body part (12a) to which the support rod member (13) is connected, and the lower opening of the oil return passage (7a) extending below the main body part (12a). A needle valve (12b) for opening and closing the end.

The main body (12) of the valve (12)
a) is slidably fitted into the guide pipe (8) above the oil return pipe (7), and the needle valve (12b) is accordingly connected to the oil return passage (7) of the oil return pipe (7). The upper opening end of 7a) is opened and closed.

A guide is provided between the oil return pipe (7) and the float valve means (9), more specifically, between the body (12a) of the valve section (12) and the oil return pipe (7). A spring member (14) that constantly biases the valve portion (12) in the direction in which the oil return passage (7a) opens, that is, the float valve means (9) upward is interposed in the pipe portion (8) ( 5 and 6). The spring force F1 of the spring member (14) is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the force acting from high pressure to low pressure, the float portion (11) and the support rod member (13).
Is set so as to be substantially equal to the force F2 in proportion to the sum of the weight of the float portion 11 and when the amount of oil accumulation reaches a certain amount and a predetermined buoyancy F3 acts on the float portion (11). (11) is raised, and the valve section (12) opens the oil return passage (7a) of the oil return pipe (7).

With the above-described structure, at the time of starting or stopping, the difference between the high and low pressures is small, and the float valve means (9) is pushed upward by the spring force of the spring member (14). As a result, the valve portion ( 12), the oil return passage (7a) of the oil return pipe (7) is open (see FIG. 6).

As the refrigeration cycle becomes stable, a pressure difference is generated, and the pressure difference is generated by the spring member (1).
Overcoming 4), the valve portion (12) closes the oil return passage (7a) as shown in FIG. 9 (see FIG. 5). In addition, when the amount of accumulated oil increases, the oil level rises, and oil is accumulated in the oil sump (6) at the bottom of the container (2) and the hollow portion in the float (11). Member (14)
The force that balances the sum of the spring force by the spring and the buoyancy by the float (11) is the force acting from high pressure to low pressure due to the high and low pressure difference, and the float (11) and the support rod member (13).
Overcome the force that balances with the sum of the weight of the valve (12)
Opens the oil return passage (7a) (see FIG. 6).
At this time, a float stop (15) is provided on the oil separating member (5) so that the spring member (14) does not separate from the guide tube (8) due to excessive rise of the float portion (11).

Further, since the float portion (11) is formed in a cylindrical shape, even if the float portion (11) rises, it does not interfere with the oil separating member (5). Do not disturb. In addition, since the spring force of the spring member (14) is used to assist the buoyancy of the float part (11), the float part (11) can be downsized, and stable oil can be used even in a compact container. Can be reverted.

In the above embodiment, the float portion (11) and the support rod member (13) are separate members, but they may be integrated as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this case, a cross-shaped support portion (17) is provided at the bottom of the float portion (16), and a valve portion (18) is provided at the center of the support portion (17).

Further, in the above embodiment, there is a problem that the gaseous phase refrigerant flows into the oil tank and the oil is wound up, thereby lowering the separation efficiency. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. By providing a demister (21) at the center of ()), the above problem can be solved.

That is, with such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 15, the separated oil passes through the demister (21) provided at the center of the float portion (11), and quickly enters the container. This prevents the oil from re-scattering toward the upper part of the float part (11) and the oil reservoir (6) at the inner bottom part of the container (2). Furthermore, since the oil reservoir (6) and the oil separator by the oil separating member (5) above the float (11) are shut off by the demister (21), the oil reservoir (6) is temporarily closed. The accumulated oil does not re-splash.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, the shape of the float portion itself may be changed to a cylindrical float portion.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the float valve means (31) is connected to a cylindrical float portion (3).
2) and a valve body portion (33), and an oil return groove (3) penetrating in the vertical direction through the outer peripheral edge of the float portion (32).
2a), ..., and separate the separated oil into the oil return groove (32).
a) can be guided to the inner bottom of the container (2). In this case, similarly to the above, the part separating oil and the part storing oil are floated (32).
, The oil is not scattered again due to the influence of the gas-phase refrigerant, and the float stop (34) is attached to the oil separating member (5) and the contact rod (34) is attached to the float portion (32). 35)
Are provided, it is possible to reliably prevent interference between the oil separating member (5) and the float portion (32).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, the oil return can be performed by the float valve means (31) following the rise of the oil level in the oil reservoir (6), and the amount of circulating refrigerant is reduced. The oil can be separated without causing the separation.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 19, in order to prevent the oil adhering to the upper surface of the float portion (32A) from re-scattering, a mesh-like oil groove is formed on the upper surface of the float portion (32A). (32b),..., And as shown in FIG. 20, instead of the oil return grooves (32a),.
2c),... May be formed.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, when oil accumulates in a container in a predetermined amount or more, the float valve means is provided by the spring force of the spring member and the buoyancy by the float valve means. Since the oil return passage of the oil return pipe is opened, the diameter of the oil return pipe (the diameter of the oil return passage) can be increased, and a large amount of oil can be returned to the compressor through the oil return pipe. Oil can be returned. Therefore, even when the amount of oil is small, the gas-phase refrigerant does not flow into the oil return passage of the oil return pipe, and even when the amount of separated oil is large, the refrigerant quickly flows through the oil return pipe. Can be returned to the compressor
The oil level does not flow into the refrigeration cycle together with the gas-phase refrigerant in a large amount through the outlet pipe due to the rise in the oil level, and the oil separation efficiency can be improved. Further, since the float portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, even if the float portion rises, it does not interfere with the oil separating member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since a spring member is provided in a cylindrical guide tube portion with which the valve portion is slidably engaged, and an oil return hole is formed in a lower portion of the guide tube portion, the spring is provided. The position of the member is stabilized, and the float valve means can be constantly urged in the opening direction without hindering the flow of oil through the oil return hole and the oil return passage.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the oil separating portion and the oil sump portion are separated by the demister, the oil accumulated in the oil sump portion does not re-scatter.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the oil separating portion and the oil reservoir portion are separated by the cylindrical float portion, the oil does not re-splash and is separated through the oil return passage. Oil is reliably stored at the bottom of the container.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the oil attached to the upper surface of the float is prevented from being re-scattered by the oil groove on the upper surface of the float.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a centrifugal oil separator of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an oil return pipe and a guide pipe.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional front view of the float valve means.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the float valve means.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an attached state of a spring member.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an attached state of a spring member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a force relationship acting on a float portion.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between an oil accumulation amount and a force acting on a float portion.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation.

FIG. 10 is a partially sectional front view of a modification of the float valve means.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the float valve means.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the same;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation.

FIG. 16 is an overall configuration diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a float valve means.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modification of the float valve means.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another modification of the float valve means.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an operation.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Oil separator 2 Container 3 Outlet pipe 4 Inlet pipe 7 Oil return pipe 8 Guide pipe section 9 Float valve means 11 Float section 12 Valve section 14 Spring member 21 Demister 32 Float section 32a Oil return groove (oil return passage) 32b Oil groove 32c Oil return hole (oil return passage)

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A vertically oriented outlet pipe (3) and a substantially tangentially oriented inlet pipe (4) are provided at the upper part of the vessel (2), and the vessel (2) is passed through the inlet pipe (4). By rotating the gas-phase refrigerant and the oil introduced in) at a high speed in the inverted conical oil separating member (5),
A centrifugal oil separator (1) for separating oil by centrifugal force and returning the separated oil through an oil return pipe (7) at the inner bottom of the container (2); On the other hand, a float valve means (9) for opening and closing the oil return passage (7a) of the oil return pipe (7) is provided, and the float valve means (9) accumulates in the inner bottom of the container (2).
The container (2) is moved up and down according to the amount of oil,
Cylindrical shape so that the oil separating member (5) enters inside
The float part (11) formed in the
1) The oil return passage (7) disposed at the center of the oil return pipe (7)
a) a valve portion (12) for opening and closing the valve is integrally formed with the lift
Become, between the oil return pipe with the float valve means (9) (7), said float valve means (9) the oil return passageway (7a)
An oil separator characterized by being provided with a spring member (14) that constantly biases in the opening direction. 2. An oil return pipe (7) is provided with a tubular guide pipe (8) in which a valve section (12) is slidably engaged with an upper part of the oil return pipe (7). , the guide tube portion (8) is an oil return hole (8a) is an oil separator of claim 1, wherein the place where it is opened in the lower together with the spring member (14) is provided inside. 3. A float portion (11), the float portion (1
Oil separator of claim 1, wherein where with demister (21) for closing the central opening of 1). 4. The container is oriented vertically in the upper part of the container (2).
Outlet pipe (3) and substantially tangentially oriented inlet pipe
(4) provided respectively, and a container is provided through the inlet pipe (4).
(2) The gas-phase refrigerant and oil introduced into
By rotating at high speed in the oil separating member (5),
Oil is separated by centrifugal force and the separated oil is placed in the container (2).
Centrifugal oil separation returned via oil return pipe (7) at bottom
What vessel (1) der, the oil return pipe to (7) an oil return of the oil return pipe (7)
Float valve means (31) for opening and closing the passage (7a) is provided.
Is, the flow - DOO valve means (31), the container float portion of the columnar shape and lifting the container (2) in accordance with the amount of oil collected in the (2) in the bottom (32), (32A), ( and 32B), the float (32), but the (32A), (oil return valve body for opening and closing a passage (7a) of which is arranged below the center oil return pipe (7) of 32B) (33) It is composed of lifting and lowering
At the same time , the floats (32) , (32A), (32)
An oil return passage (32a) formed near the outer peripheral edge of B) ,
Has (32c), between the float valve means (31) the oil return pipe (7)
The oil return passage (7a) is connected to the float valve means (31).
A spring member (14) that constantly urges in the opening direction is interposed
An oil separator characterized by being made . 5. A float (32A) is according to claim 4 where the oil groove (32 b) is formed in a mesh shape on the upper surface
An oil separator as described.