JPH1114201A - Accumulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To return the oil to a compressor without being affected by the quantity of liquid coolant in an accumulator while preventing the liquid from being returned to the compressor. SOLUTION: The accumulator comprises a coolant storage chamber 5, an introduction pipe 6 inserted into the upper part of the storage chamber 5, a delivery pipe 7 inserted from the upper part of the storage chamber 5 to pass through the vicinity of the bottom in the storage chamber 5 and opening to the upper part thereof, an oil return hole 9 made in the delivery pipe 7 located closely to the bottom part of the storage chamber 5, an oil separation disc 11 dividing the storage chamber 5 vertically into two sections, and an auxiliary oil return hole 12 made in the delivery pipe 7 located closely to the upper part of the oil separation disc 11. According to the structure, the quantity of oil being returned to a compressor can be ensured even when a liquid coolant is stored in the storage chamber 5 and the liquid can be prevented from being returned to the compressor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional accumulator, actual accumulator 5
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 39409/39.

This accumulator is installed on the suction side of a compressor in a refrigeration system in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator are connected via a refrigerant pipe to separate refrigerant from gas and liquid and store excess refrigerant. I do.

Hereinafter, a conventional accumulator will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is an internal structural view of a conventional accumulator. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body container of the accumulator. Reference numeral 2 denotes an inlet pipe,
It is open at the top inside. Reference numeral 3 denotes an outlet pipe, which passes from the upper portion of the main body container 1 to the vicinity of the inner bottom portion and opens to the inner upper portion.

[0005] Reference numeral 4a denotes an oil return hole, which is formed in a pipe wall located near the bottom of the outlet pipe 3. Reference numeral 4b denotes an auxiliary oil return hole, and a plurality of auxiliary oil return holes are provided on the pipe wall of the outlet pipe 3 located higher than the oil return hole 4a.

L is the interval at which the auxiliary oil return hole 4b is opened, and the difference C between the maximum oil amount that can be filled in the compressor and the minimum oil amount required for lubrication of the compressor is expressed by the cross-sectional area m of the main body container 1. (L = C / m), which is the maximum oil layer height of the oil accumulated in the main body container 1.

H1 is the height obtained by dividing the maximum refrigerant amount V by the cross sectional area m of the main container 1 (H1 = V / m).

H2 is the height from the oil return hole 4a to the uppermost auxiliary oil return hole 4b, and is set within a range lower than the height obtained by adding the maximum oil layer height L to H1 (H
2 <H1 + L).

The number of auxiliary oil return holes 4b is obtained by dividing H2 by the maximum oil layer height L (n = H2 / L).

The operation of the accumulator configured as described above will be described below. First, when the liquid refrigerant is not accumulated in the main body container 1 (for example, in an air conditioner during a cooling operation in which the outside air temperature is high), only oil exists at the bottom of the main body container 1.

In this case, the oil is sucked from the oil return hole 4a and returned to the compressor together with the gas refrigerant sucked from the auxiliary oil return hole 4b.

Next, when the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the main body container 1 (for example, in an air conditioner during a heating operation with a low outside air temperature), the liquid refrigerant and the oil are separated into two layers, and the oil is deposited on the upper layer of the liquid refrigerant. Exists. This phenomenon occurs not only when oil that is incompatible with the refrigerant is used, but also when oil that is compatible with the refrigerant is used.

[0013] For example, even when a compatible polyol ester oil is used for R407C, which is known as an alternative refrigerant to R22, two-layer separation occurs.

In this case, the oil is sucked through the auxiliary oil return hole 4b and returned to the compressor.

[0015]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, since a plurality of auxiliary oil return holes 4b are provided, when a large amount of liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the main body container 1 and the liquid level is high, it is located at a higher position. Although oil is sucked in from the auxiliary oil return hole 4b, liquid refrigerant is sucked in from the auxiliary oil return hole 4b located below.

Therefore, as the number of the auxiliary oil return holes 4b increases, the amount of liquid refrigerant sucked together with oil increases, causing liquid back to the compressor, thereby deteriorating the reliability of the compressor. Was.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an accumulator capable of preventing liquid back to a compressor when liquid refrigerant is accumulated in a main body container and ensuring reliability of the compressor. The purpose is.

[0018]

In order to achieve this object, an accumulator according to the present invention comprises a discharge pipe inserted from the top of a storage chamber, passing near the bottom of the storage chamber, and opening at the top of the storage chamber. An oil return hole provided in the outlet pipe located near the bottom of the chamber, oil separating means for dividing the storage chamber into upper and lower parts, and an auxiliary oil return hole provided in the outlet pipe located near the upper part of the oil separating means. And a configuration using a Teflon porous filter as the oil separating means.

Thus, when the liquid refrigerant accumulates in the storage chamber as in a heating operation at a low outside air temperature, liquid back to the compressor can be prevented, and the reliability of the compressor can be ensured.

Further, a zeolite filter formed in a disk shape is used as the oil separating means.

Thus, when R407C is used as the refrigerant and polyol ester oil is used as the refrigerating machine oil, liquid back to the compressor is prevented, and moisture in the refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil is adsorbed, and the refrigerating machine oil is hydrolyzed. Deterioration due to decomposition can be prevented, and the reliability of the compressor can be ensured.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a storage chamber for storing a refrigerant, an introduction pipe inserted into the upper part of the storage chamber, and a bottom part inserted from the upper part of the storage chamber and near the bottom of the storage chamber. An outlet pipe that opens at the top of the storage chamber through the outlet, an oil return hole provided in the outlet pipe located near the bottom of the storage chamber, an oil separation unit that divides the storage chamber into two vertically, and an oil separation unit. It has an auxiliary oil return hole provided in the outlet pipe located near the upper part, and uses a Teflon porous filter as the oil separating means.

For this reason, when the liquid refrigerant does not accumulate in the storage chamber as in the cooling operation, the mist refrigerating machine oil carried together with the gas refrigerant accumulates on the oil separating means and the auxiliary oil return hole It has the effect of being sucked from and returned to the compressor.

When the liquid refrigerant accumulates in the storage chamber and the liquid refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil are separated into two layers as in the heating operation at a low outside air temperature, the refrigerating machine oil dissolved in the liquid refrigerant passes through the oil separating means. It has a function of being sucked from the oil return hole and returned to the compressor. The refrigerating machine oil separated into two layers accumulates on the oil separating means, is sucked through the auxiliary oil return hole, and has the effect of being returned to the compressor.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a disk-shaped zeolite filter is used as the oil separating means in addition to the first aspect of the present invention.

For this reason, when the liquid refrigerant does not accumulate in the storage chamber as in the cooling operation, it has the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention.

When the liquid refrigerant accumulates in the storage chamber and the refrigerant oil is separated into two layers as in the heating operation at a low outside air temperature, the refrigerant oil dissolved in the liquid refrigerant passes through the oil separating means. It has a function of being sucked from the oil return hole and returned to the compressor.

At this time, the zeolite filter has an effect of adsorbing the water of the liquid refrigerant in which the refrigerating machine oil passing through the oil separating means is dissolved.

The refrigerating machine oil separated into two layers accumulates on the oil separating means, is sucked from the auxiliary oil return hole, and has a function of being returned to the compressor.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the accumulator according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those of the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an internal structural view of an accumulator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a storage room, which is an internal space of the main body container 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes an introduction pipe, which is open at an upper portion of the storage chamber 5.

The outlet pipe 7 is inserted from the top of the storage chamber 5 and forms a U-shaped pipe near the bottom. 8 is an outlet pipe 7
And is located above the storage chamber 5.

Reference numeral 9 denotes an oil return hole, which is provided on the pipe wall of the outlet pipe 7 and is located near the bottom of the storage chamber 5. 1
Reference numerals 0a and 10b denote wire mesh-shaped partition plates, which are located above the maximum height where the liquid refrigerant is stored, and divide the storage chamber 5 vertically.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an oil separating means, which uses a Teflon porous filter having a pore size of 5 μm to 10 μm.
It is fixed between the partition plates 10a and 10b.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an auxiliary oil return hole, which is provided in the pipe wall of the outlet pipe 7 and is located near the upper portion of the oil separating means 11.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a liquid refrigerant stored in the storage chamber 5,
Refrigerator oil is melting. Reference numeral 14 denotes a refrigerating machine oil separated into two layers, which is accumulated on the oil separating means 11.

Even when R407C was used as the refrigerant and a polyol ester oil compatible with the refrigerating machine oil, the two-layer separation occurred when the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the accumulator during the heating operation at a low outside air temperature. Is confirmed.

The operation of the accumulator configured as described above will be described below. During the low outside air temperature heating operation, the refrigerating machine oil is introduced into the storage chamber 5 in a state of being dissolved in the liquid refrigerant and in a mist state, and two-layer separation occurs. The refrigerating machine oil dissolved in the liquid refrigerant passes through the oil separating means 11, accumulates in the lower part of the storage chamber 5 (13), and flows out of the oil return hole 9 into the outlet pipe 7.
It is sucked inside.

The mist refrigerating machine oil is supplied to the oil separating means 11.
And accumulates on the oil separating means 11 (14) and is sucked into the outlet pipe 7 from the auxiliary oil return hole 12. Then, it is sent to the compressor together with the gas refrigerant sucked from the opening 8.

At this time, a small amount of the liquid refrigerant 13 is drawn into the outlet pipe 7 from the oil return hole 9.

Thus, the oil can be returned to the compressor regardless of the two-layer separation. Further, liquid back to the compressor can be prevented.

When the liquid refrigerant does not accumulate in the storage chamber 5 as in the cooling operation, the mist refrigerating machine oil carried together with the gas refrigerant cannot pass through the oil separating means 11. It accumulates on the oil separating means 11. Then, it is sucked from the auxiliary oil return hole 12 and sent to the compressor together with the gas refrigerant sucked from the opening 8.

Thus, the oil can be returned to the compressor. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is an internal structure diagram of an accumulator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15 denotes oil separating means.
A zeolite filter formed in a disk shape is used, and is fixed between partition plates 10a and 10b.

The operation of the accumulator configured as described above will be described below. During the low outside air temperature heating operation, the refrigerating machine oil is introduced into the storage chamber 5 in a state of being dissolved in the liquid refrigerant and in a mist state, and two-layer separation occurs. The refrigerating machine oil dissolved in the liquid refrigerant passes through the oil separating means 15, accumulates in the lower part of the storage chamber 5 (13), and flows out of the oil return hole 9 into the outlet pipe 7.
It is sucked inside.

When the liquid refrigerant passes through the oil separating means 15,
Moisture is absorbed by the zeolite-based filter.

The mist refrigerating machine oil is supplied to the oil separating means 15.
And accumulates on the oil separating means 15 (14) and is sucked into the outlet pipe 7 from the auxiliary oil return hole 12. Then, it is sent to the compressor together with the gas refrigerant sucked from the opening 8.

At this time, a small amount of the liquid refrigerant 13 is drawn into the outlet pipe 7 from the oil return hole 9.

As a result, oil can be returned to the compressor regardless of the two-layer separation. Further, liquid back to the compressor can be prevented.

Further, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the refrigerating machine oil due to hydrolysis by adsorbing the water in the refrigerant.

The operation when the liquid refrigerant does not accumulate in the storage chamber 5 as in the cooling operation is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0052]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an oil return hole provided in the outlet pipe located near the bottom of the storage chamber, and a disk-shaped oil separation for vertically dividing the storage chamber into two parts. Means and an auxiliary oil return hole provided in an outlet pipe located near the upper part of the oil separating means, so that the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the storage chamber, and even when the liquid refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil are separated into two layers, the compression is performed. In addition to ensuring the amount of oil returned to the compressor, liquid back to the compressor can be prevented, and the reliability of the compressor can be ensured.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention.
In addition to the invention described in the above, in the case where the oil separation means is configured to use a disk-shaped zeolite-based filter, the liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the storage chamber, and the liquid refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil are separated into two layers. However, it is possible to secure the amount of oil returned to the compressor, prevent liquid back to the compressor, and secure the reliability of the compressor.

Further, by adsorbing water in the liquid refrigerant, deterioration of the refrigerating machine oil due to hydrolysis can be prevented, and reliability of the compressor can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an internal structural diagram of an accumulator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of the accumulator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a conventional accumulator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Reservoir 6 Inlet pipe 7 Outlet pipe 8 Opening 9 Oil return hole 11 Oil separation means (Teflon porous filter) 12 Auxiliary oil return hole 15 Oil separation means (Zeolite filter)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A storage chamber which is attached to a suction side of a compressor constituting a refrigeration cycle and stores a refrigerant, an introduction pipe inserted into an upper part of the storage chamber, and a storage chamber inserted from an upper part of the storage chamber. An outlet pipe passing near the bottom of the storage chamber and opening at the upper part of the storage chamber; an oil return hole provided in the outlet pipe located near the bottom of the storage chamber; and an oil separator for vertically dividing the storage chamber into two parts. And an auxiliary oil return hole provided in the outlet pipe located near the upper portion of the oil separating means. 2. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein a Teflon porous filter is used as the oil separating means. 3. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein a zeolite filter formed in a disk shape is used as the oil separating means.