JPWO2018198516A1 - Oil separator and refrigeration cycle apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The oil separator has a container having a peripheral wall that forms a cylindrical inner wall surface, and an inflow pipe connected to the container along a tangential direction of the inner wall surface and allowing a mixed fluid in which gas and oil are mixed to flow into the container, A gas outlet pipe is connected to the upper part of the container, one end is located inside the container and the other end is located outside the container, and a gas outlet pipe for allowing the gas in the container to flow out is connected to the lower part of the container. An oil outflow pipe for allowing oil to flow out to the outside, and having a wall forming a gap communicating vertically, and a space between an inner wall of the container and an outer wall of the gas outflow pipe at an upper part of the inflow pipe. And has a rising swirling flow suppression mechanism that suppresses the rising swirling flow formed above the inflow pipe by obstructing the flow of the mixed fluid.

Description

  The present invention relates to an oil separator and a refrigeration cycle apparatus such as a refrigeration apparatus or an air conditioner including an oil separator as a component.

  In the refrigeration cycle apparatus, oil that flows out together with the refrigerant gas from the compressor may stay in the refrigerant pipe or the heat exchanger and may not easily return to the compressor. Therefore, in order to secure the oil in the compressor, an oil separator is provided on the discharge side of the compressor, and the two-phase flow of the oil and the gaseous refrigerant taken into the shell is separated into gas and oil by centrifugal force, An oil separator that returns oil to the suction side of the compressor has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-202876 A

  In the oil separator described in Patent Document 1, oil attached to the wall surface of the shell flows to the lower part of the shell due to gravity, but a part of the oil is dragged by the gas flow of the refrigerant gas and flows to the upper part of the shell and swirls. While staying. As the amount of oil staying while swirling in the upper part of the shell increases, the oil surface is more easily disturbed by the swirling flow of gas, and the amount of small oil droplets generated increases. And the smaller the oil droplets, the less affected by centrifugal force or gravity, the oil flows out with the gas, and the efficiency of separating the oil decreases.

  The present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and provides an oil separator and a refrigeration cycle apparatus that reduce the amount of oil that stays while swirling in the upper part of a shell.

  An oil separator according to the present invention includes a container having a peripheral wall that forms a cylindrical inner wall surface, and an inflow that is connected to the container along a tangential direction of the inner wall surface and flows a mixed fluid in which gas and oil are mixed into the container. A pipe, connected to the upper part of the container, one end located inside the container and the other end located outside the container, connected to a gas outflow pipe for allowing the gas in the container to flow out, and connected to the lower part of the container; An oil outflow pipe for letting oil in the container flow out to the outside, and having a wall portion that forms a gap communicating in the vertical direction, and at the upper part of the inflow pipe, between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism that suppresses the rising swirl flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe by being disposed in the space between them and preventing the flow of the mixed fluid.

  According to the oil separator of the present invention, it has a wall portion that forms a gap communicating in the vertical direction, and is disposed in a space between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe at the upper part of the inflow pipe. An upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism that suppresses the upward swirling flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid. As a result, the oil separator can reduce the amount of oil that stays while swirling in the upper part of the shell.

It is a refrigerant circuit diagram which shows schematic structure of the refrigerating-cycle apparatus provided with the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the outline of the upper part of the oil separator which is not provided with the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism, and the flow of the oil and refrigerant. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper part of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the height h between the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism obtained by experiment, and an inflow pipe | tube, and oil separation efficiency. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other upward swirl flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1-3 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1-2 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view showing the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other schematic structure of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. FIG. 28 is a transverse sectional view showing the rib of FIG. 27. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. FIG. 30 is a transverse sectional view showing the rib of FIG. 29. It is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of an upper part of an oil separator and an inflow pipe that are not provided with a rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism, and the flow of the oil and refrigerant. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism of the oil separator which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus including an oil separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The solid arrow in FIG. 1 indicates the main flow of the refrigerant, and the broken arrow indicates the main flow of oil. Hereinafter, the refrigeration cycle apparatus including the oil separator according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is, for example, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a refrigerator, a vending machine, a water heater, or the like. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes a compressor 101, an oil separator 1, a condenser 103, an expansion valve 104, and an evaporator 105. The compressor 101, the oil separator 1, the condenser 103, the expansion valve 104, and the evaporator 105 are sequentially connected by refrigerant piping. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the refrigerant gas is discharged together with oil from the compressor 101, and most of the refrigerant gas is separated from the oil by the oil separator 1, and then the condenser 103, the expansion valve 104, the evaporator 105, and the like are sequentially used. The flow is returned to the suction side of the compressor 101. A part of the refrigerant gas flowing into the oil separator 1 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 101 through the oil return pipe 102 together with the separated oil.

  The oil separator 1 is one of the components of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100. The oil separator 1 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 101 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, and has a function of separating oil contained in the refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 101. The oil separated from the refrigerant gas by the oil separator 1 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 101 via the oil return pipe 102. The oil that has not been separated by the oil separator 1 flows in order through the condenser 103, the expansion valve 104, the evaporator 105, and the like, and is returned to the suction side of the compressor 101.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the oil separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oil separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, an arrow R represents a flow of refrigerant gas containing oil discharged from the compressor 101 and flowing into the oil separator 1. An arrow G represents the flow of the refrigerant gas flowing out from the oil separator 1. Furthermore, the arrow L represents the flow of oil separated by the oil separator 1 and flowing out from the oil separator 1. In the following drawings including FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, dimensions and shapes of the respective constituent members may be different from actual ones. The Z axis shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 indicates the vertical direction of the oil separator 1 with the Z1 side up and the Z2 side down. Moreover, the positional relationship (for example, up-down relationship etc.) between each structural member in a specification is a thing when installing the oil separator 1 in the state which can be used in principle.

  The oil separator 1 has a container 2 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The container 2 includes a shell 3 serving as a peripheral wall that forms a cylindrical inner wall surface. Further, the container 2 includes an upper end plate 4 provided on the upper portion (Z1 side) of the shell 3 and a lower end plate 5 provided on the lower portion (Z2 side) of the shell 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the shell 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a central axis O in the vertical direction (for example, the vertical direction). The upper end plate 4 has a conical taper shape with a diameter reduced upward (Z1 direction), and the lower end plate 5 has a conical taper shape with a diameter reduced downward (Z2 direction). have. The container 2 has a configuration in which a shell 3, an upper end plate 4, and a lower end plate 5 are integrated.

  An inflow pipe 6 is connected to the peripheral wall above the shell 3 of the container 2 along a tangential direction (for example, a horizontal tangential direction) of the inner wall surface of the shell 3. In the oil separator 1, the inflow pipe 6 is inserted and connected to the shell 3 so that the distal end portion 6 a of the pipe constituting the inflow pipe 6 is disposed inside the container 2. The central axis O1 of the inflow pipe 6 and the central axis O of the inner wall surface of the shell 3 of the inflow pipe 6 do not intersect. The inflow pipe 6 allows a mixed fluid in which refrigerant gas and oil are mixed to flow into the container 2.

  A gas outflow pipe 7 having a diameter smaller than that of the shell 3 is connected to the upper end 4 a of the upper end plate 4 so as to be coaxial with the shell 3. The gas outflow pipe 7 is a pipe that is connected to the upper part of the container 2, has one end located inside the container 2 and the other end located outside the container 2, and allows the gas inside the container 2 to flow out to the outside. A lower end portion 7a (an upstream end portion of the refrigerant gas flow) of the gas outflow pipe 7 is disposed inside the container 2 through the upper end plate 4 and is positioned on the central axis O of the inner wall surface of the shell 3. ing. In the gas outflow pipe 7, at least a portion of the outer wall located inside the container 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape. An oil outflow pipe 8 having a diameter smaller than that of the shell 3 is connected to the lower end portion 5 a of the lower end plate 5 so as to be coaxial with the shell 3. The oil outflow pipe 8 is connected to the lower part of the container 2 and is a pipe through which oil inside the container 2 flows out.

  In the container 2, as shown in FIG. 3, it is located below the upper wall of the inflow pipe 6 and above the lower end portion 7a of the gas outflow pipe 7, and the inner wall surface of the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7 A space formed between the outer wall surface is referred to as a turning portion 9. The swivel unit 9 is a space for swirling the mixed fluid of gas and oil flowing in from the inflow pipe 6 along the inner wall surface of the shell 3. Further, in the container 2, a space located below the lower end portion 7 a of the gas outflow pipe 7 and surrounded by the inner wall surface of the shell 3 and the inner wall surface of the lower end plate 5 (a space below the swivel unit 9). Is referred to as the bottom 10. Further, in the container 2, a space (swivel part) formed between the inner wall surface of the shell 3, the inner wall surface of the upper end plate 4, and the outer wall surface of the gas outflow pipe 7 is positioned above the inflow pipe 6. The region above 9 is referred to as the inflow pipe upper portion 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 is provided so as to cover the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 and fill the upper part of the inflow pipe 11.

  The ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 has a wall portion 12a that forms a gap communicating in the vertical direction. The upper wall of the inflow pipe 6 has an inner wall of the container 2 composed of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4, and a gas outflow. It arrange | positions in the space between the outer walls of the pipe | tube 7, and suppresses the upward swirl | vortex flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid which refrigerant gas and oil mixed. The wall portion 12a constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 is preferably made of a stretchable material such as resin, rubber, or fibrous metal. The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 is desirably provided with a gap inside so that gas can be circulated. The wall portion 12a forming the gap of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 is made of, for example, an open cell type resin or open cell type rubber, or made of a fibrous metal. The gap communicated in the vertical direction may be formed as one gap from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12, or may be formed by coupling a plurality of gaps to each other like an open cell structure. Good. Further, in order to communicate in the vertical direction, it is sufficient that the gap communicates from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12, and not only in the vertical direction but also in part in the horizontal direction or in the oblique direction. Also good. The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 is disposed in contact with the inner wall of the container 2 and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7, or is in contact with either the inner wall of the container 2 or the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7. Are arranged.

  Next, oil separation inside the oil separator 1 will be described. A mixed fluid in which gas and oil are mixed (for example, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor) flows into the inflow pipe 6 from the pipe outside the oil separator 1. The mixed fluid flowing into the inflow pipe 6 flows through the inside of the inflow pipe 6, and from the distal end portion 6 a which is the downstream end of the inflow pipe 6 positioned inside the container 2, to the swivel portion 9 which is a space in the container 2. Opened. The gas and oil of the mixed fluid flow downward in the swivel unit 9 while swirling the swivel unit 9 around the gas outflow pipe 7. While the gas and oil are swirling in the swivel unit 9, the oil having a relatively large specific gravity moves to the radially outer side of the swivel shaft (inner wall surface side of the shell 3) by centrifugal force. When the oil that has moved radially outward reaches the inner wall surface of the shell 3, the oil flows along the inner wall surface. This oil flows along the inner wall surface of the shell 3 even when it reaches the bottom 10 below the swivel unit 9. On the other hand, the gas flows through the space of the swivel unit 9 and then reaches the space in the bottom 10. Part of the oil that has not reached the inner wall surface of the shell 3 at the swivel portion 9 is applied to the inner wall surface of the shell 3 or the inner wall surface of the lower end plate 5 at the bottom portion 10 due to the centrifugal force and gravity due to the remaining swirling motion. Reach. The remaining oil that has not reached the inner wall surface of the shell 3 or the inner wall surface of the lower end plate 5 gathers together with the gas at the lower end portion 7a of the gas outflow pipe 7, flows upward in the gas outflow pipe 7, and flows out to the outside. . The oil flowing along the inner wall surface of the shell 3 at the bottom 10 flows through the inner wall surface as it is due to gravity and reaches the lower end plate 5. The oil that has reached the lower end plate 5 flows along the tapered surface of the lower end plate 5 together with the oil that has reached the lower end plate 5 directly from the space of the bottom 10 and gathers at the lower end 5a to which the oil outflow pipe 8 is connected. These oils flow as they are downward in the oil outflow pipe 8 and flow out to the outside.

  As described above, the mixed fluid of gas and oil flowing into the container 2 of the oil separator 1 from the inflow pipe 6 flows out from the gas outflow pipe 7 and out from the oil outflow pipe 8 to the outside. Separated into oil. The greater the amount of oil flowing out of the gas outflow pipe 7 together with the gas, the lower the oil separation efficiency. The oil present as oil droplets in the swivel unit 9 or the bottom portion 10 is less susceptible to centrifugal force or gravity as the oil droplets are smaller, and thus is more difficult to separate from the gas.

  FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the upper part of the oil separator that does not include the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism and the flow of the oil and refrigerant. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the upper part of the oil separator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the height h between the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism and the inflow pipe and the oil separation efficiency obtained by experiment. Here, the action of oil separation between the oil separator 51 that does not include the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12 and the oil separator 1 that includes the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12 will be described in more detail.

  First, the oil separation by the oil separator 51 that does not include the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 will be described with reference to FIG. A solid line including an arrow in FIG. 4 represents a swirl upward flow of the refrigerant gas flowing near the shell 3 in the upper portion 11 of the inflow pipe. The dotted line including the arrow in FIG. 4 represents a two-dimensional flow on the longitudinal section in the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe, and the broken line including the arrow is collected along the inner wall surface of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 in the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe. Represents the swirling flow of the oil L1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the oil separator 51 does not include the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12, a part of the gas and oil released from the inflow pipe 6 to the swivel unit 9 does not face downward and swirls. However, it flows to the upper inflow pipe upper part 11. As shown by a solid line and a dotted line including an arrow in FIG. 4, in the inflow pipe upper portion 11, the gas flows while swirling on the side close to the shell 3, and descends while swirling on the side close to the gas outflow pipe 7. Become a flow. Due to the swirling flow of the gas, some oil droplets are subjected to centrifugal force and adhere to the shell 3. However, on the side close to the shell 3 of the upper part of the inflow pipe 11, the gas flows in addition to the swirling. The oil adhering to the shell 3 goes upward. As shown by the broken line including the arrow in FIG. 4, the oil directed upward while swirling along the surface of the shell 3 is collectively swung along the surfaces of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 and the upper part of the inflow pipe. 11 accumulates. Part of the oil accumulated in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 is peeled off by the gas flow and becomes oil droplets. Further, part of the oil is caused by gravity or a swirling downward flow on the side close to the gas outflow pipe 7. To the swivel unit 9.

  The amount of oil accumulated while turning in the upper portion of the inflow pipe 11 increases when the amount of gas and oil flowing into the inflow pipe 6 is larger than the amount of outflow, and the amount of gas and oil flowing into the inflow pipe 6 flows out. Decrease if less than the amount to be done. If the gas and oil that flow into the inflow pipe 6 are in a steady state, the amount of oil that accumulates in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 is a constant amount due to the balance between the inflow amount and the outflow amount. As the amount of oil accumulated in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 increases and the oil level becomes closer to the inflow pipe 6, the flow velocity of the gas near the oil level increases, so that the oil is peeled off from the oil level and oil droplets are formed. This tends to occur, and the amount of oil flowing out from the oil accumulated in the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe to the swivel unit 9 increases. As a result, in the steady state, if the condition of the gas and oil flowing into the inflow pipe 6 changes, the amount of oil accumulated in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 changes, but the condition of the gas and oil flowing into the inflow pipe 6 must change. For example, the amount of oil accumulated in the upper portion 11 of the inflow pipe is kept constant. Moreover, since the amount of oil flowing into the inflow pipe upper portion 11 increases as the amount of oil flowing into the inflow pipe 6 is larger than the gas amount, the amount of oil accumulated in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 increases. As the amount of oil accumulated while swirling in the upper portion 11 of the inflow pipe increases, the oil level is more easily disturbed by the swirling flow of gas, and the amount of small oil droplets generated increases. As described above, the smaller the oil droplet, the less susceptible to centrifugal force or gravity, and the more difficult it is to separate the oil from the gas at the swivel portion 9 and the bottom portion 10. The oil separation efficiency of the oil separator 1 is reduced.

  Next, the improvement effect of the oil separation efficiency in the case where the oil separator 1 includes the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As described above, the oil separation efficiency of the oil separator 1 decreases as the amount of oil accumulated while turning in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 increases. If there is the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12, the oil that has flowed into the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12 is supplemented by the wall portion 12a that forms the gap, and the refrigerant gas also hardly flows. Therefore, the upward swirling flow of the refrigerant gas does not occur inside the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12. The oil L1 captured by the wall portion 12a that forms the gap of the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12 travels along the inner wall surface of the shell 3 due to surface tension, and is a part of the upper portion of the inflow pipe 11 below the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12. Fall into the space of the department. The oil L1 is accumulated by the upward swirling flow only in a part of the space of the upper portion 11 of the inflow pipe 11 having a height h (Z-axis direction) between the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 and the inflow pipe 6. . Therefore, the amount of oil that accumulates while turning around the inflow pipe upper portion 11 is reduced, and the amount of small oil droplets generated is reduced. As a result, when the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 is provided, the oil separation efficiency of the oil separator 1 is improved as compared with the case where it is not provided.

  In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the height h [mm] (Z-axis direction) between the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 and the inflow pipe 6 in a part of the space of the upper part of the inflow pipe 11. Represents the oil separation efficiency. As shown in FIG. 6, it can be confirmed that as the height h of a part of the space in the upper portion 11 of the inflow pipe becomes lower, the amount of oil accumulated in the upper portion 11 of the inflow pipe decreases and the oil separation efficiency increases. Therefore, the oil separator 1 can obtain high oil separation efficiency by providing the rising swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 so as to cover the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 and fill the upper part of the inflow pipe 11.

  As described above, the oil separator 1 has the wall portion 12a that forms a gap communicating in the vertical direction, and is disposed in the space between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe at the upper part of the inflow pipe. And an upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism that suppresses the upward swirling flow formed in the upper portion of the inflow pipe by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid. Therefore, the oil separator 1 reduces the amount of oil accumulated while swirling in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11, and the amount of small oil droplets generated is reduced. As a result, the oil separator 1 can improve the oil separation efficiency as compared with the case where the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 is not provided.

  Further, the oil separator 1 provided with the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 collects in the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe with respect to the structure of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 above the inflow pipe 6 and the connection between the upper end plate 4 and the gas outflow pipe 7. There is no need to provide special restrictions to reduce the amount of oil. Therefore, the oil separator 1 can select a structure according to processing equipment and use conditions. For example, the oil separator 1 can be used for high-pressure gas that requires strength. In addition, since the oil separator 1 does not need to use an advanced processing facility that finely adjusts the dimensions, the oil separator 1 is inexpensive and has high productivity despite having high oil separation efficiency.

  Further, the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 is made of a stretchable material, so that it is possible to suppress a strong stress from being applied to the container 2 or the gas outflow pipe 7 due to thermal expansion or thermal contraction. For example, the oil separator 1 mounted on the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 has a wide operating temperature range because high-temperature refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 101 flows in. In the oil separator in which the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 is made of a material having low stretchability, the container 2, the gas outflow pipe 7, and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 are thermally expanded or contracted in the operating temperature range. 2 or the gas outflow pipe 7 is repeatedly subjected to a strong stress, and either of them may break in a short time. In addition, even if the container 2 or the gas outflow pipe 7 does not repeatedly break due to stress, the oil separator may be partially concentrated due to the deformation of the container 2, and receives a high gas pressure. In some cases, the container 2 may be broken from the stress concentration portion. In the oil separator 1, the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 is made of a stretchable material, so that it is possible to suppress a strong stress from being applied to the container 2 or the gas outflow pipe 7 due to thermal expansion or contraction. it can.

  Further, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 is provided with a gap so that gas can pass therethrough. Therefore, the gas that has entered during the production is sealed in the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12, the gap between the container 2 and the rising swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12, and the gap between the gas outflow pipe 7 and the rising swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12. It will not be. In the configuration in which the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 has no gap, the inside of the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12, the gap between the container 2 and the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12, and between the gas outflow pipe 7 and the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12. The gas that has entered during the manufacturing process is sealed in the gap. Therefore, pressure by the gas is applied to the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12, the container 2, and the gas outflow pipe 7. Although this pressure varies depending on the ambient temperature, it does not change greatly depending on the inflow conditions of the inflow pipe 6 as the pressure of the swivel 9, so the inside of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12, the container 2 and the ascending swirl flow Due to the pressure difference between the clearance between the suppression mechanism 12, the clearance between the gas outflow pipe 7 and the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 12, and the swivel unit 9, the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 is subjected to strong or repeated stress. . In particular, since a high-pressure refrigerant may be used for the oil separator 1 or the like used in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12 is likely to be subjected to stronger stress. The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 may be damaged by stress when the strength is insufficient, such as when the thickness is small. Even if the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 has sufficient strength, if the connection with the container 2 or the gas outflow pipe 7 is weak, the contact portion may be damaged due to strong stress. The oil separator 1 has a gap in the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 and allows gas to flow therethrough, so that the gas that has entered during the manufacturing process is not sealed and is not easily damaged.

  Further, for example, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, when the oil separator 1 is not provided and the volume of the condenser 103 or the evaporator 105 is large, the condenser 103, the expansion valve 104, and the evaporator 105 If the pipes connecting these are long, the amount of oil present in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 excluding the compressor 101 increases, and the amount of oil inside the compressor 101 may decrease. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 including the oil separator 1 having high oil separation efficiency, the amount of oil existing in the condenser 103, the expansion valve 104, the evaporator 105, and the pipe connecting them is reduced, and the inside of the compressor 101 is reduced. Reduction of oil amount is suppressed.

  Further, when the height of the swivel part 9 and the bottom part 10 is shortened, the oil separator 1 becomes difficult to reach the shell 3 or the lower end plate 5, so that the oil separation efficiency is lowered, but the oil separator 1 can be downsized. it can. Even in such a case, since the oil separator 1 can obtain higher oil separation efficiency than an oil separator that does not include the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 that includes the small oil separator 1 is The installation space of the oil separator 1 can be reduced and the size can be reduced. In addition, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 including the small oil separator 1 can improve performance by increasing the size of other components such as the condenser 103 or the evaporator 105 instead.

  Further, in the case of an oil separator that does not include the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 12, the amount of oil that accumulates in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 varies depending on the operating conditions of the refrigeration cycle, so that the amount of oil inside the compressor 101 varies, It becomes easy to be exhausted. In the present invention, since the oil does not accumulate in the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe of the oil separator 1 and the oil in the compressor 101 is hardly exhausted, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 that is less likely to fail can be provided.

  Furthermore, as described above, the oil separator 1 includes a cylindrical shell 3 having a central axis O in the vertical direction (for example, the vertical direction), and a conical taper that is reduced in diameter toward the upper side (Z1 direction). The upper end plate 4 having a shape and the lower end plate 5 having a conical tapered shape whose diameter is reduced downward (in the Z2 direction). Therefore, the oil separator 1 can be configured with high strength, and even when high-pressure gas is used, the oil separator 1 includes the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 and thus has the above-described effects. Thus, it is possible to provide the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 in which occurrence of problems due to refrigerant leakage is suppressed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Parts having the same configuration as the oil separator of FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the oil separator 1 according to Embodiment 1, the case where the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 is made of a stretchable material such as resin or rubber has been described. However, the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism may be made of a low stretch material such as a low stretch resin or metal. Hereinafter, the oil separator 1A and the oil separator 1B provided with the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112A and the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B made of a material having low stretchability will be described. In the following description, the up swirling flow suppressing mechanism 112A and the rising swirling flow suppressing mechanism 112B will be collectively referred to as the rising swirling flow suppressing mechanism 112.

  The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112 has a wall portion 112A1 that forms a gap that communicates in the vertical direction. At the upper portion of the inflow pipe 6, the inner wall of the container 2 composed of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 and the gas outflow It arrange | positions in the space between the outer walls of the pipe | tube 7, and suppresses the upward swirl | vortex flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid which refrigerant gas and oil mixed. The wall portion 112A1 constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112 is made of, for example, a low stretchable material such as resin, rubber, metal, or the like, but is made of resin, rubber, fibrous metal, etc. You may be comprised with an elastic material. The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112 is desirably provided with a gap therein so that a gas can flow therethrough. The wall portion 112A1 forming the gap of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112 is made of, for example, an open cell type resin or open cell type rubber, or is made of a fibrous metal. The gap communicated in the vertical direction may be formed as one gap from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112, or may be formed by coupling a plurality of gaps to each other like an open cell structure. Good. In addition, in order to communicate in the vertical direction, it is sufficient that the gap communicates from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112, and there is a portion that communicates not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction or the oblique direction. Also good.

  When the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112A is made of a material having low stretchability, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112A contacts the inner wall of the container 2 as shown in FIG. It is desirable to form a gap S <b> 1 between the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7. Alternatively, when the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B is made of a material having low stretchability, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B contacts the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 as shown in FIG. It is desirable to form a gap S <b> 2 between the suppression mechanism 112 </ b> B and the inner wall of the container 2. When the clearance S1 between the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 and the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 112A and the clearance S2 between the inner wall of the container 2 and the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 112B are opened too much, the refrigerant gas and the oil are in between. As a result, an upward swirling flow is generated and oil is collected, and the oil separation efficiency of the oil separator 1A or the oil separator 1B is lowered. In particular, when a gap S1 is formed between the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 and the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 112A, a part of the accumulated oil is peeled off by the gas flow and becomes oil droplets. . Since some of the oil droplets flow out from the inflow pipe upper portion 11 to the swivel portion 9 due to gravity or the swirling downward flow on the side close to the gas outflow pipe 7, the space between the inner wall of the container 2 and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B Compared with the case where the gap S2 is formed, the oil separation efficiency is lowered. Therefore, the clearance S1 between the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 and the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 112A is such that the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 and the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 112A are thermally expanded in the operating temperature range of the oil separator 1A. Or it is good to make it as small as possible in the range which does not contact by heat shrink. Further, the clearance S2 between the inner wall of the container 2 and the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B is caused by thermal expansion or contraction of the inner wall of the container 2 and the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B in the operating temperature range of the oil separator 1B. It is better to make it as small as possible without touching. In addition, the gap S1 is formed between the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112A and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 when the gap S2 is formed between the inner wall of the container 2 and the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B. The oil separation efficiency can be made higher than in the case.

  There is no gap S1 between the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 and the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112A and the gap S2 between the inner wall of the container 2 and the rising swirling flow suppressing mechanism 112B. In an oil separator whose mechanism is composed of a material having low elasticity, the container and the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism or the gas outflow pipe and the rising swirling flow suppressing mechanism are in contact with each other in the operating temperature range due to thermal expansion or contraction. Strong stress is applied to the container or the gas outflow pipe. For this reason, either the container or the gas outflow pipe is repeatedly subjected to a strong stress in the operating temperature range, so that either of them may break in a short time. Further, even if the container does not break due to repeated stress, stress may concentrate on a part due to deformation of the container. In some cases, the container may break due to high gas pressure.

  The oil separator 1A or the oil separator 1B according to Embodiment 2 includes a gap S1 between the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 and the rising swirl flow suppression mechanism 112A, or the inner wall of the container 2 and the rising swirl flow suppression mechanism 112B. A gap S2 is formed between the two. Therefore, the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 and the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 112A or the inner wall of the container 2 and the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 112B do not come into contact with each other due to thermal expansion or contraction, and the container 2 and the gas outflow pipe 7 are in contact with each other. No strong stress is applied. The oil separator 1A or the oil separator 1B according to the second embodiment is the oil according to the first embodiment even if the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112A or the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B is not formed of a stretchable material. The effect similar to the oil separator 1 provided with the elastic | stretching upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 which has shown the separator 1 can be acquired. Therefore, in the oil separator 1A or the oil separator 1B according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the selection range of materials constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112A and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 112B is widened, and the productivity is increased. Can be configured at low cost.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Parts having the same configuration as the oil separator of FIGS. 1 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The oil separator 1C, the oil separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G according to Embodiment 3 are the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212A, the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212B, and the upward swirling flow suppression. Each of the mechanism 212C and the upward swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212D is provided so as to cover the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 and to fill a part of the upper part of the inflow pipe 11. The ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212A, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212B, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212C, and the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212D are disposed in contact with the container 2 and the gas outflow pipe 7, or It is disposed in contact with either one of the gas outflow pipes 7. In the following description, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212A, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212B, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212C, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212D, and the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212E are collectively referred to. Will be described.

  The ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212 has a wall portion 212H that forms a gap that communicates in the vertical direction. At the top of the inflow pipe 6, the inner wall of the container 2 composed of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 and the gas outflow It arrange | positions in the space between the outer walls of the pipe | tube 7, and suppresses the upward swirl | vortex flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid which refrigerant gas and oil mixed. The wall portion 212H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 is made of, for example, a low stretchable material such as resin, rubber, metal, or the like, but is made of resin, rubber, fibrous metal, etc. You may be comprised with an elastic material. It is desirable that the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212 is provided with a gap therein so that a gas can flow therethrough. The wall portion 212H forming the gap of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 is made of, for example, an open cell type resin or open cell type rubber, or made of a fibrous metal. The gap communicated in the vertical direction may be formed by a single gap from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212, or may be formed by coupling a plurality of gaps to each other like an open cell structure. Good. In addition, it is sufficient that the gap communicates with the up and down direction as long as the gap communicates from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212. In addition to the vertical direction, there is a part that communicates in the horizontal direction or in an oblique direction. Also good.

  The oil separator 1C, the oil separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G according to Embodiment 3 form an upper space 13 in the inflow pipe upper portion 11. The upper space 13 is a space excluding the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212 and the lower side thereof in the inflow pipe upper portion 11. In other words, the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212, the inner wall of the container 2, and the gas outflow pipe 7 It is a space formed between the outer wall. The upper space 13 flows between the swivel unit 9 and the flow through the gap formed by the wall portion 212H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212, the gap between the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the container 2 or the gas outflow pipe 7, and the like. The road is connected. The upper space 13 is a general term for an upper space 13A, an upper space 13B, an upper space 13C, an upper space 13D, and an upper space 13E, which will be described below.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212 </ b> A is disposed in contact with the shell 3 so as to cover the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 and fill only a part of the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 surrounded by the shell 3. Has been. In this example, in the inflow pipe upper portion 11, a space surrounded by the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 </ b> A and the upper end plate 4 constitutes the upper space 13 </ b> A. When the wall portion 212H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212A is made of a material having low stretchability, the oil separator 1C has the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212A as shown in FIG. And a clearance S3 is preferably provided between the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212A and the gas outflow pipe 7. The upper space 13A communicates with the swirl unit 9 via a gap S3 between the gas outflow pipe 7 and the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212A.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212 </ b> B is in contact with the gas outflow pipe 7 so as to cover the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 and fill only a part of the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 surrounded by the shell 3. Are arranged. In this example, in the inflow pipe upper portion 11, a space surrounded by the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 </ b> B and the upper end plate 4 constitutes the upper space 13 </ b> B. When the wall 212H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212B is made of a material having low stretchability, the oil separator 1D is configured such that, as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the gap S4 is provided between the shell 3 and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212B. The upper space 13B communicates with the swivel unit 9 through a gap S4 between the shell 3 and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212 </ b> C arranged in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 extends in a plate shape in the horizontal direction of the container 2 so as to partition the inflow pipe upper portion 11 and the swivel portion 9. Yes. In this example, in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11, the space above the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212C constitutes the upper space 13C. When the wall portion 212H constituting the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212C is made of a material having low stretchability, the oil separator 1E has the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212C as shown in FIG. And a clearance S5 is preferably provided between the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212C and the gas outflow pipe 7. The upper space 13C communicates with the swirl unit 9 via a gap S5 between the gas outflow pipe 7 and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212C.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212 </ b> D disposed in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 extends in a plate shape in the horizontal direction of the container 2 so as to partition the inflow pipe upper portion 11 and the swivel portion 9. Yes. In this example, in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11, the space above the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212D constitutes the upper space 13D. When the wall portion 212H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212D is made of a material having low stretchability, the oil separator 1F has the gas flowing out as shown in FIG. It is preferable that a clearance S6 is provided between the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212D and the shell 3 in contact with the pipe 7. The upper space 13D communicates with the swivel unit 9 via a gap S6 between the shell 3 and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212D.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212 </ b> E disposed in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 extends in a plate shape in the horizontal direction of the container 2 so as to partition the inflow pipe upper portion 11 and the swivel portion 9. Yes. In this example, in the inflow pipe upper part 11, the space above the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212E constitutes the upper space 13E. In the oil separator 1G, the air holes 14 formed in the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212E communicate the space above and below the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212E. When the wall 212H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212E is made of a stretchable material, the oil separator 1G penetrates the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212E vertically as shown in FIG. Then, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212E may be brought into contact with the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7 without a gap by providing the vent hole 14 that allows the upper space 13E and the swivel unit 9 to communicate with each other. In the oil separator 1G, the wall 212H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212E is stretchable, and gas such as open cell type resin, open cell type rubber, or fibrous metal is gas in the internal gap. The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212E may contact the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7 without a gap without providing the vent hole 14 in the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12.

  The reason why the upper space 13 is not sealed in the oil separator 1C, the oil separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G but communicates with the swivel unit 9 will be described. In the container 2, when the upper space 13 is sealed, the upper space 13 is filled with gas that has entered during manufacture. Therefore, the pressure by this gas is applied to the shell 3 facing the upper space 13, the gas outflow pipe 7, and the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism. This pressure varies depending on the temperature of the upper space 13, but does not vary greatly depending on the inflow conditions of the fluid flowing in from the inflow pipe 6 like the pressure of the swivel unit 9. However, when the upper space 13 is sealed, the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212 may be subjected to strong stress or repeated stress due to a pressure difference between the upper space 13 and the swivel unit 9. In particular, since a high-pressure refrigerant may be used for the oil separator 1 or the like used in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212 is likely to be subjected to stronger stress. Therefore, when the upper space 13 is sealed, or when the strength is insufficient, such as when the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212 is thin, due to the stress generated by the pressure difference between the upper space 13 and the swivel unit 9, The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 may be damaged. Even if the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212 has sufficient strength, if the connection between the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212 and the container 2 or the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 212 and the gas outflow pipe 7 is weak, The contact may be damaged due to strong stress. Further, when the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the contact portion between the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the container 2 or the gas outflow pipe 7 are broken, the gas in the upper space 13 flows into the swirling portion 9. At this time, if the gas component flowing into the oil separator 1 from the compressor 101 and the gas component in the upper space 13 are different, the device on which the oil separator 1 is mounted, for example, the refrigeration cycle device 100 is broken. There is a case.

  In the oil separator 1C, the oil separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G according to the third embodiment, the upper space 13 is not sealed, and the upper space 13 and the swivel unit 9 are communicated. This facilitates removal of the gas flowing into the upper space 13 during manufacturing. Therefore, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the contact portion between the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the container 2 or the gas outflow pipe 7 are not easily damaged. In addition, the oil separator 1C, the oil separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G can easily remove the gas that has flowed into the upper space 13 at the time of manufacture. It is also possible to prevent failure of the apparatus equipped with the separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G.

  In the oil separator 1C, the oil separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G according to the third embodiment, the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212 includes the inflow pipe due to the upper space 13. Compared to the configuration shown in the oil separator 1, the oil separator 1 </ b> A, and the oil separator 1 </ b> B according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the oil separator 1 </ b> C is not required for filling the upper portion 11. The weight of the oil separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G can be reduced, and the performance of separating substantially the same oil can be obtained.

  Further, in the oil separator 1C or the oil separator 1D shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it is not necessary to configure the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212A and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212B in accordance with the inner wall structure of the upper end plate 4. Therefore, compared with the configuration shown in the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 of the oil separator 1 according to the first embodiment or the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 112 of the oil separator 1A and the oil separator 1B according to the second embodiment, The machining of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212A and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212B can be facilitated, and the performance of separating substantially the same oil can be obtained.

  In addition, in the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212C, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212D, and the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212E are provided. By being configured in a plate shape, the weight of the oil separator 1C, the oil separator 1D, the oil separator 1E, the oil separator 1F, and the oil separator 1G can be further reduced.

Embodiment 4.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an oil separator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Parts having the same configuration as that of the oil separator of FIGS. 1 to 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the following description, the generic name of the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312A, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312B, and the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312C shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. explain.

  The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 312 has a wall portion 312H that forms a gap that communicates in the vertical direction. At the upper portion of the inflow pipe 6, the inner wall of the container 2 composed of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4, the gas outflow It arrange | positions in the space between the outer walls of the pipe | tube 7, and suppresses the upward swirl | vortex flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid which refrigerant gas and oil mixed. In the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J according to the fourth embodiment, the wall portion 312H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 312 is radially directed to the central axis O of the container 2 It is constituted by a plurality of plates extending at least two or more. Further, a gap communicating in the vertical direction is provided between the circumferential directions of the plurality of plates constituting the wall portion 312H. As shown in FIG. 14, the oil separator 1 </ b> H includes a shell 3 or a gas outlet pipe 7 such that a plurality of plates constituting the wall portion 312 </ b> H are radial with respect to the central axis O of the shell 3 and the gas outlet pipe 7. It is the structure arrange | positioned in contact with. Alternatively, the wall portion 312H constituting the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 312A is made of a stretchable material, and the wall portion 312H constituting the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 312 is formed between the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7. It is in contact with both.

  If the wall 312H constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312 is made of a material having low stretchability, as shown in FIG. 15, the oil separator 1I has a wall portion forming the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312B. 312H is disposed in contact with the shell 3. Further, when the wall portion 312H constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312B is made of a material having low stretchability, the oil separator 1I is connected to the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312B and the gas outflow as shown in FIG. A gap S <b> 7 may be provided between the tube 7.

  Or if the wall part 312H which comprises the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 312 is comprised with the material with low elasticity, as shown in FIG. 16, as for the oil separator 1J, the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 312C will be gas outflow. Arranged in contact with the tube 7. Further, when the wall portion 312H constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312C is made of a material having low stretchability, the oil separator 1J includes the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312C and the shell 3 as shown in FIG. A gap S8 is preferably provided between the two.

  As described above, in the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, the wall portion 312H constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312 in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 is It consists of a plurality of plates arranged radially. Therefore, since the flow of the swirling refrigerant gas is blocked by the plate, the flow rate of the refrigerant gas is slowed, and the force of the refrigerant gas to overcome gravity and lift the oil droplets is weakened. If the force by which the refrigerant gas lifts the oil droplets becomes weak, the amount of oil that accumulates in the upper portion 11 of the inflow pipe decreases, so that it becomes difficult for fine oil droplets to be generated as shown in the oil separator 1 according to the first embodiment. The efficiency of separating is improved.

  Further, in the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, as in the oil separators 1C to 1G according to Embodiment 3, the upward swirling flow is suppressed. The mechanism 312 does not require a volume filled in the inflow pipe upper portion 11. Therefore, the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J are different from the configurations of the oil separator 1, the oil separator 1A, and the oil separator 1B according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The weights of the separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J can be reduced.

  Further, the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention are configured by a plurality of plates in which the wall portion 312H constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312 is radially arranged. It is configured. Therefore, when manufacturing the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, the oil separator 1J or the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, during the construction, repair, maintenance, etc. of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I The oil separator 1J or the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 has a structure in which the cleaning liquid can be easily collected after the cleaning with the cleaning liquid is finished.

  Further, the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention are configured by a plurality of plates in which the wall portion 312H constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312 is radially arranged. It is configured. Therefore, the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J have a structure in which the cleaning liquid is difficult to collect in the upper part of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 312 or in the gap, and easily falls to the swivel unit 9 due to gravity drop. Yes. As a result, the oil separator 1H, the oil separator 1I, and the oil separator 1J according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are more effective than the oil separator 1 to the oil separator 1G according to the first to third embodiments. The recovery time can be shortened, and problems during use of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 due to the cleaning liquid remaining in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 can be prevented.

  As described above, the oil separator 1 to the oil separator 1J according to the first to fourth embodiments include the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12, the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 112, and the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212 in the inflow pipe upper portion 11. Since the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312 is provided, the upward swirling flow of the refrigerant gas in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 is suppressed, so that oil does not easily accumulate in the inflow pipe upper portion 11 while swirling. In the oil separator 1 to the oil separator 1J, the amount of oil accumulated while turning is reduced, so that it is difficult for fine oil droplets to be generated, and high oil separation efficiency can be obtained.

  FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism for an oil separator according to a modification of the first to third embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism for an oil separator according to a modification of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism for an oil separator according to a modification of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the oil separators 1 to 1J according to the first to fourth embodiments, an example in which the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 are integrally configured has been described. However, the oil separator 1K and FIG. As shown in the oil separator 1L of FIG. 19 and the oil separator 1M of FIG. 19, in the oil separator, the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 are not integrated. For example, the upper end plate 4 is welded to the upper portion of the cylindrical shell 3. It may be configured to connect by The oil separator 1K in FIG. 17, the oil separator 1L in FIG. 18, and the oil separator 1M in FIG. 19 are configured so that the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 312 are in contact with the gas outflow pipe 7 Although an example is shown in which a gap is formed between the upper swirling flow suppression mechanism 212 and the rising swirl flow suppression mechanism 212 and the rising swirl flow suppression mechanism 312 is in contact with the container 2, a gap may be formed between the gas outflow pipe 7. Alternatively, when the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 312 are made of a stretchable material, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 312 are connected to the gas outflow pipe 7 and the container 2. You may contact | abut and you may provide the vent hole 14 as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the oil separator 1K, the oil separator 1L, and the oil separator 1M have the structure of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 above the inflow pipe 6 and the connection between the upper end plate 4 and the shell 3 in the upper part of the inflow pipe. It is not necessary to provide a special restriction for reducing the amount of oil accumulated in 11, and it is possible to select a structure according to the processing equipment and use conditions. Therefore, the oil separator 1K, the oil separator 1L, and the oil separator 1M can be used for high-pressure gas that requires strength. In addition, the oil separator 1K, the oil separator 1L, and the oil separator 1M do not require the use of advanced processing equipment that finely adjusts the dimensions, so that they are inexpensive despite having high oil separation efficiency. Increases productivity.

  FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism for an oil separator according to a modification of Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism for an oil separator according to a modification of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism for an oil separator according to a modification of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the oil separators 1 to 1J according to the first to fourth embodiments, the inflow pipe 6 is inserted into the shell 3 so that a part of the piping constituting the inflow pipe 6 is disposed inside the container 2. The example of the structure connected is described. As shown in the oil separator 1N in FIG. 20, the oil separator 1O in FIG. 21, and the oil separator 1P in FIG. 22, a part of the piping constituting the inflow pipe 6 is not arranged inside the container 2, and the inflow pipe The inflow pipe 6 and the shell 3 may be connected so that the six inlets 6 b are formed in the peripheral wall of the shell 3. Even in this configuration, the oil separator 1N, which is the same as the configuration in which the inflow pipe 6 is inserted into the shell 3 and connected so that the distal end portion 6a of the pipe constituting the inflow pipe 6 is disposed inside the container 2, The oil separator 1O and the oil separator 1P can obtain high oil separation efficiency.

  In the configuration according to the modification of the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20, the oil separator 1 </ b> N is arranged with the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12 in contact with the shell 3, and the ascending swirl flow A part of the wall part 12 a constituting the suppression mechanism 12 may be arranged at a position lower than a part of the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 and extend to the turning part 9. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, when the oil separator 1 O has the upper space 13 in the container 2, if the upper space 13 is in the inflow pipe upper portion 11, the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 212 is disposed in contact with the shell 3, and a part of the wall 212 </ b> H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 is disposed at a position lower than a part of the upper part of the inflow pipe 6. It may be extended to.

  For example, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 or the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the shell 3 are not in contact with each other, and there is a gap between the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 12 or the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the shell 3. When present, when a part of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 or the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 is extended to the swivel unit 9, it flows into the container 2 through the upper part in the inflow pipe 6. Refrigerant gas and oil flow to the swivel portion 9 through a gap between the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 or the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 and the shell 3. Therefore, the swirl flow of the refrigerant gas and oil in the swirl unit 9 is disturbed, and the oil separation efficiency of the oil separator is reduced.

  If the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 or the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 is in contact with the shell 3, a part of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 12 or the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 212 is connected to the inflow pipe 6. Even in the configuration in which the lower part of the upper part is arranged to extend to the swivel unit 9, the refrigerant gas and oil that have flowed into the container 2 through the upper part in the inflow pipe 6 remain in the swivel part 9 as they are. Flowing. Therefore, the oil separator 1N or the oil separator 1O is configured such that the inflow pipe 6 is inserted into the shell 3 and connected so that the distal end portion 6a of the pipe constituting the inflow pipe 6 is disposed inside the container 2. High oil separation efficiency can be obtained without changing.

  For example, when the upper space 13 is formed in the oil separator, a part of the upper space 13 is formed below the inflow pipe upper portion 11 and the flow path of the inflow pipe 6 and the upper space 13 is directly connected. The oil flows into the upper space 13 from the inflow pipe 6 and accumulates. If the upper space 13 is in the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 as in the oil separator 1O shown in FIG. 21, the inflow pipe 6 and the flow path of the upper space 13 are not directly connected, and the upper space 13 is filled with oil. Inflow does not accumulate. Therefore, the oil separator 1O can provide the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 that is less likely to be depleted of the oil inside the compressor 101 and less likely to fail.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the oil separator 1 </ b> P includes a plurality of plates constituting the wall portion 312 </ b> H and the gas as in the case of the oil separators 1 </ b> H to 1 </ b> J according to the fourth embodiment. They are arranged radially with respect to the central axis O of the outflow pipe 7. Further, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 312 is in contact with the shell 3 or the gas outflow pipe 7. The oil separator 1P includes the inflow pipe 6 and the shell 3 so that the tip 6a of the pipe constituting the inflow pipe 6 does not enter the container 2 and the inflow port 6b of the inflow pipe 6 is formed on the peripheral wall of the shell 3. Is connected. In the oil separator 1 </ b> P, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 312 is preferably not in the swivel part 9 but in the inflow pipe upper part 11. For example, when a part of the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 312 is extended to the revolving portion 9, the strong swirling flow of the refrigerant gas immediately after flowing into the container 2 from the inflow pipe 6 causes the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 312 to move. The oil separation efficiency may decrease because the swirling flow is disturbed by colliding with the wall portion 312H that is configured. The oil separator 1P has a configuration in which the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 312 is not extended to the swiveling portion 9 and is in the upper portion of the inflow pipe 11, and the refrigerant gas immediately after flowing into the container 2 from the inflow pipe 6 The strong swirling flow is not disturbed, and the oil separation efficiency can be obtained without changing from the configuration in which the inflow pipe 6 is inserted into the shell 3 and connected.

Embodiment 5.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an oil separator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing an ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism for an oil separator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing another schematic configuration of the oil separator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing the rib of FIG. FIG. 29 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the rib of FIG. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the upper part of the oil separator and the inflow pipe that are not provided with the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism, and the flow of the oil and refrigerant. Parts having the same configuration as the oil separator of FIGS. 1 to 22 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the following description, generic names of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412A, the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412B, and the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412C shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 29 are used. This will be described as the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412. Further, the generic term of the wall portion 412Ha, the wall portion 412Hb, and the wall portion 412Hc will be referred to as a wall portion 412H.

  The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412 has a wall portion 412H that forms a gap that communicates in the vertical direction. At the upper portion of the inflow pipe 6, the inner wall of the container 2 composed of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 and the gas outflow It arrange | positions in the space between the outer walls of the pipe | tube 7, and suppresses the upward swirl | vortex flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid which refrigerant gas and oil mixed. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, in the oil separator 1Q, the wall 412Ha constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412A is composed of at least two or more plates, and each plate is vertically And is inclined with respect to the central axis O of the container 2 from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction. Alternatively, in the oil separator 1Q, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the wall 412Ha constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412A is composed of at least two or more plates, It extends in the vertical direction and is bent with respect to the central axis O of the container 2 from the inside in the radial direction to the outside in the turning direction of the refrigerant. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the wall portion 412Ha is constituted by at least two or more plates extending in a direction parallel to the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 in the container 2. ing. The relationship between the plurality of wall portions 412Ha is such that the extending direction of a certain wall portion 412Ha and the extending direction of adjacent wall portions 412Ha arranged in the circumferential direction of the container 2 are perpendicular to each other. Further, a gap communicating in the vertical direction is provided between the circumferential directions of the plurality of plates constituting the wall portion 412Ha. As shown in FIG. 23 or FIG. 25, in the oil separator 1Q, the plurality of plates constituting the wall 412Ha are inclined in the swiveling direction from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction with respect to the central axis O of the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7. It is the structure which is provided by bending or provided in contact with the shell 3 or the gas outflow pipe 7. Alternatively, the wall 412Ha constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412A is made of a stretchable material, and the wall 412Ha forming the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412 is both the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7. It is in contact with.

  As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, at least two ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanisms 412B of the oil separator 1R according to Embodiment 5 are provided below the wall portion 412Hb constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412B. The plurality of ribs 412Ba described above are provided. The rib 412Ba extends in the vertical direction and is inclined with respect to the central axis O of the container 2 from the radially inner side to the outer side in the refrigerant swirling direction. Alternatively, the rib 412Ba extends in the vertical direction and is bent with respect to the central axis O of the container 2 from the inside in the radial direction to the outside in the turning direction of the refrigerant. The rib 412Ba extends in the container 2 in a direction parallel to the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 in the same manner as the wall portion 412Ha of the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412A shown in FIGS. Is provided. The relationship between the plurality of ribs 412Ba is such that the extending direction of one rib 412Ba and the extending direction of adjacent ribs 412Ba arranged in the circumferential direction of the container 2 are perpendicular to each other.

  The wall 412Hb constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412B shown in FIG. 27 is made of a stretchable material, and the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412 is applied to both the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7. It is touched. That is, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412B has a wall portion 412Hb that forms a gap communicating in the up-down direction, and the inner wall of the container 2 composed of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4 above the inflow pipe 6; It arrange | positions in the space between the outer walls of the gas outflow pipe 7, and the upward swirling flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 is suppressed by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid which refrigerant gas and oil mixed. The wall 412Hb constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412B is preferably made of a stretchable material such as resin, rubber, or fibrous metal. It is desirable that the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412B is provided with a gap therein so that gas can be circulated. The wall portion 412Hb forming the gap of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412B is made of, for example, an open cell type resin or open cell type rubber, or made of a fibrous metal. The gap communicated in the vertical direction may be formed as one gap from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412B, or may be formed by coupling a plurality of gaps to each other like an open cell structure. Good. Further, in order to communicate in the vertical direction, it is sufficient that the gap communicates from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412B, and there is a portion communicating not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction or the oblique direction. Also good.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412C of the oil separator 1S according to Embodiment 5 is provided below the plate-like wall portion 412Hc constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412C. At least two or more ribs 412Ca are provided. The ribs 412Ca are extended so as to incline or bend in the swirling direction of the refrigerant in the vertical direction and from the radially inner side to the outer side with respect to the central axis O of the container 2. The rib 412Ca extends in the container 2 in a direction parallel to the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 in the same manner as the wall portion 412Ha of the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412A shown in FIGS. Is provided. The relationship between the plurality of ribs 412Ca is such that the extending direction of one rib 412Ca and the extending direction of adjacent ribs 412Ca arranged in the circumferential direction of the container 2 are perpendicular to each other.

  Note that the wall 412Hc constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412C shown in FIG. 29 is made of a stretchable material, and the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412 is applied to both the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7. It is touched. That is, the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412C has a wall portion 412Hc that forms a gap communicating in the vertical direction, and the upper wall of the inflow pipe 6 includes an inner wall of the container 2 constituted by the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4; It arrange | positions in the space between the outer walls of the gas outflow pipe 7, and the upward swirling flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 is suppressed by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid which refrigerant gas and oil mixed. The wall 412Hc constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412C is preferably made of a stretchable material such as resin, rubber, or fibrous metal. The upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412C is desirably provided with a gap inside so that gas can be circulated. The wall 412Hc forming the gap of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412C is made of, for example, an open cell type resin or open cell type rubber, or made of a fibrous metal. The gap communicated in the vertical direction may be formed as one gap from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412C, or may be formed by coupling a plurality of gaps to each other like an open cell structure. Good. Further, in order to communicate in the vertical direction, it is sufficient that the gap communicates from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412C. In addition to the vertical direction, there is a part communicating in the horizontal direction or the diagonal direction. Also good.

  In addition, if the wall part 412H which comprises the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 412 is comprised with the material with low elasticity, the oil separator 1Q, the oil separator 1R, and the oil separator 1S will be the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 412. The wall portion 412H that constitutes is arranged in contact with the shell 3. And when the wall part 412H which comprises the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 412 is comprised with a material with low elasticity, the oil separator 1Q, the oil separator 1R, and the oil separator 1S are the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism. A gap S7 shown in FIG. 15 may be provided between the wall 412H constituting the gas 412 and the gas outflow pipe 7.

  Or if the wall part 412H which comprises the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 412 is comprised with the material with low elasticity, the oil separator 1Q, the oil separator 1R, and the oil separator 1S will be the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 412. The wall portion 412H constituting the gas outlet pipe 7 is disposed in contact with the gas outflow pipe 7. And when the wall part 412H which comprises the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 412 is comprised with a material with low elasticity, the oil separator 1Q, the oil separator 1R, and the oil separator 1S are the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism. A gap S8 shown in FIG. 16 may be provided between the wall 412H constituting the 412 and the shell 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the oil separator 51 does not include the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 12, part of the gas and oil released from the inflow pipe 6 to the swirl unit 9 does not go downward. It flows to the upper inflow pipe upper part 11 while turning. As shown by a solid line and a dotted line including an arrow in FIG. 4, in the inflow pipe upper portion 11, the gas flows while swirling on the side close to the shell 3, and descends while swirling on the side close to the gas outflow pipe 7. Become a flow. Due to the swirling flow of gas, the oil adhering to the surface of the upper end plate 4 flows toward the gas outlet pipe 7 on the radially inner side while swirling as shown in FIG. Part of the oil flowing toward the radially inner gas outflow pipe 7 is peeled off by the gas flow to form oil droplets, and a part of the oil droplets are on the side close to the gravity or gas outflow pipe 7. Due to the swirl downward flow, the flow flows out from the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe to the swivel part 9.

  Similarly, in the oil separators 1 to 1P according to the first to fourth embodiments, the oil attached to the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism flows toward the gas outlet pipe 7 on the radially inner side while swirling. Then, a part of the oil flowing toward the gas outflow pipe 7 is peeled off by the gas flow to become oil droplets, and further, a part of the oil droplets are caused by gravity or a swirling downward flow on the side close to the gas outflow pipe 7. Then, it flows out from the inflow pipe upper part 11 to the swivel part 9.

  In the oil separator 1Q according to the fifth embodiment, the wall 412Ha constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 412A is inclined or bent in the swiveling direction from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction with respect to the vertical axis and the central axis of the container 2. It is comprised by the at least 2 or more several board extended in this. That is, the wall portion 412Ha is constituted by at least two or more plates extending in a direction parallel to the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the gas outflow pipe 7 in the container 2. Therefore, the direction of the swirling flow of the refrigerant in the vicinity of the upper end plate 4 or the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412A is directed from the radially inner side to the outer side. As a result, the oil adhering to the surface of the upper end plate 4 or the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412A flows from the radially inner side toward the outer shell 3, and part of the oil is peeled off by the gas flow to form oil droplets. Further, a part of the oil droplets flows out from the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe to the swivel part 9 due to gravity or a swirl downward flow on the side close to the shell 3.

  The oil separator 1R extends below the wall 412Hb constituting the ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412B so as to incline or bend in the swiveling direction from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction with respect to the central axis of the container 2. At least two or more ribs 412Ba are provided. That is, the rib 412Ba is provided in the container 2 so as to extend in a direction parallel to the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the gas outflow pipe 7. Therefore, the direction of the swirling flow of the refrigerant in the vicinity of the upper end plate 4 or the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412B is directed from the radially inner side to the outer side. As a result, the oil adhering to the surface of the upper end plate 4 or the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412B flows from the radially inner side toward the outer shell 3, and part of the oil is peeled off by the gas flow to form oil droplets. Further, a part of the oil droplets flows out from the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe to the swirl part 9 by gravity or swirl descending flow on the side close to the shell 3.

  Further, the oil separator 1S extends below the wall portion 412Hc constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412C so as to incline or bend in the swiveling direction in the vertical direction and from the radially inner side to the outer side with respect to the central axis of the container 2. At least two or more ribs 412Ca are provided. That is, the rib 412Ca is provided in the container 2 so as to extend in a direction parallel to the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the gas outflow pipe 7. Therefore, the direction of the swirling flow of the refrigerant in the vicinity of the upper end plate 4 or the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412C is directed from the radially inner side to the outer side. As a result, the oil adhering to the surface of the upper end plate 4 or the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412C flows from the radially inner side toward the outer shell 3, a part is peeled off by the gas flow, and becomes oil droplets. Further, a part of the oil droplets flows out from the upper part 11 of the inflow pipe to the swirl part 9 by gravity or swirl descending flow on the side close to the shell 3.

  As described above, in the oil separator 1Q, the oil separator 1R, and the oil separator 1S according to the fifth embodiment, the upper portion of the inflow pipe 11 is caused by gravity or a swirling downward flow on the side close to the shell 3. To the swivel unit 9. If the oil droplet on the side close to the shell 3 in the swivel unit 9 moves radially outward by centrifugal force, it immediately adheres to the shell 3 and is thus easily separated from the refrigerant. Therefore, the oil separator 1Q, the oil separator 1R, and the oil separator 1S according to Embodiment 5 further improve the oil separation efficiency.

Embodiment 6.
FIG. 32 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism of the oil separator according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The parts having the same configuration as the oil separator of FIGS. 1 to 31 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In the following description, the up swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512A and the rising swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512B shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. In addition, a general term for the wall portion 512Ha and the wall portion 512Hb will be referred to as a wall portion 512H.

  The ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 512 has a wall portion 512H that forms a gap communicating in the vertical direction. The upper wall of the inflow pipe 6 has an inner wall of the container 2 composed of the shell 3 and the upper end plate 4, and a gas outflow. It arrange | positions in the space between the outer walls of the pipe | tube 7, and suppresses the upward swirl | vortex flow formed in the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 by preventing the flow of the mixed fluid which refrigerant gas and oil mixed. The wall portion 512H constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412C is made of a stretchable material, and the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 412 is in contact with both the shell 3 and the gas outflow pipe 7. The wall portion 512H constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 512 is preferably made of a stretchable material such as resin, rubber, or fibrous metal. The upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512 is desirably provided with a gap inside so that gas can be circulated. The wall portion 512H forming the gap of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 512 is made of, for example, an open cell type resin or open cell type rubber, or made of a fibrous metal. The gap communicated in the vertical direction may be formed as one gap from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 512, or may be formed by coupling a plurality of gaps to each other like an open cell structure. Good. Further, in order to communicate in the vertical direction, it is sufficient that the gap communicates from the upper end to the lower end of the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 512, and there is a portion communicating not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction or in the oblique direction. Also good.

  In the oil separator 1T according to the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, the wall portion 512Ha constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512A covers the upper portion of the inflow pipe 6 and fills the inside of the inflow pipe upper portion 11. Is provided. The lower surface portion 513 of the wall portion 512Ha faces the turning portion 9, and in the radial direction of the container 2, the outer edge portion 513a on the shell 3 side is recessed upward, and the inner edge portion 513b on the gas outflow pipe 7 side protrudes downward. Is configured to do. In other words, the lower surface portion 513 is formed in an annular shape, the inner edge portion 513b is in contact with the gas outflow pipe 7, the outer edge portion 513a is in contact with the shell 3, and the inner edge portion 513b is positioned below the outer edge portion 513a. A slope is formed between the inner edge 513b and the outer edge 513a.

  Further, in the oil separator 1U according to the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the plate-like wall portion 512Hb constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 512B covers the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 and the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 It is provided so as to fill a part of the inside. The lower surface portion 513 of the wall portion 512Hb faces the swivel portion 9, and in the radial direction of the container 2, the outer edge portion 513a on the shell 3 side is recessed upward, and the inner edge portion 513b on the gas outflow tube 7 side protrudes downward. It is configured. In other words, the lower surface portion 513 is formed in an annular shape, the inner edge portion 513b is in contact with the gas outflow pipe 7, the outer edge portion 513a is in contact with the shell 3, and the inner edge portion 513b is positioned below the outer edge portion 513a. A slope is formed between the inner edge 513b and the outer edge 513a. Alternatively, in the oil separator 1U, the wall portion 512Hb constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512A is formed in a plate shape. The wall portion 512Hb is formed in a disk shape in which the inner edge portion 513b is in contact with the gas outflow pipe 7, the outer edge portion 513a is in contact with the shell 3, and the inner edge portion 513b is positioned below the outer edge portion 513a. The wall portion 512Hb is arranged so as to partition the inflow pipe upper portion 11 and the turning portion 9 from each other.

  In addition, if the wall part 512H which comprises the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 512 is comprised with the material with low elasticity, the oil separator 1T and the oil separator 1U will be the wall part which comprises the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 512 512H is disposed in contact with the shell 3. And when the wall part 512H which comprises the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 512 is comprised with a material with low elasticity, the oil separator 1T and the oil separator 1U are the walls which comprise the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 512 A gap S7 shown in FIG. 15 may be provided between the portion 512H and the gas outflow pipe 7.

  Or if the wall part 512H which comprises the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 512 is comprised with the material with low elasticity, the oil separator 1T and the oil separator 1U will be the wall part which comprises the upward swirling flow suppression mechanism 512 512H is disposed in contact with the gas outflow pipe 7. And when the wall part 512H which comprises the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 512 is comprised with a material with low elasticity, the oil separator 1T and the oil separator 1U are the walls which comprise the upward swirl flow suppression mechanism 512 A gap S8 illustrated in FIG. 16 may be provided between the portion 512H and the shell 3.

  The oil separator 1T according to the sixth embodiment is provided such that the wall portion 512Ha constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512A covers the upper portion of the inflow pipe 6 and fills a part of the upper portion of the inflow pipe 11. Yes. The lower surface portion 513 of the wall portion 512Ha faces the turning portion 9, and in the radial direction of the container 2, the outer edge portion 513a on the shell 3 side is recessed upward, and the inner edge portion 513b on the gas outflow pipe 7 side protrudes downward. Is configured to do. Therefore, when the upward component of the swirl upward flow obliquely collides with the lower surface portion 513 of the wall portion 512Ha constituting the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism 512A, a force directed radially outward is received as a reaction. Therefore, the oil attached to the lower surface portion 513 of the wall portion 512Ha constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512A flows toward the radially outer shell 3. Then, a part of the oil flowing toward the radially outer shell 3 is peeled off by the gas flow to become oil droplets, and further, a part of the oil droplets are swirling downward flow on the side close to the gravity or the shell 3. By this, it flows out from the inflow pipe upper part 11 to the turning part 9.

  Further, in the oil separator 1U according to the sixth embodiment, the plate-like wall portion 512Hb constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism 512B covers the upper part of the inflow pipe 6 and fills a part of the upper part of the inflow pipe 11. Is provided. And the lower surface part 513 of the plate-like wall part 512Hb faces the turning part 9, and in the radial direction of the container 2, the outer edge part 513a on the shell 3 side is recessed upward, and the inner edge part 513b on the gas outflow pipe 7 side is recessed. It is comprised so that it may protrude below. For this reason, when the upward component of the swirling upward flow obliquely collides with the lower surface portion 513 of the wall portion 512Hb constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512B, a force directed radially outward is received as a reaction. Therefore, the oil adhering to the lower surface portion 513 of the wall portion 512Hb constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism 512B flows toward the radially outer shell 3. Then, a part of the oil flowing toward the radially outer shell 3 is peeled off by the gas flow to become oil droplets, and further, a part of the oil droplets are swirling downward flow on the side close to the gravity or the shell 3. By this, it flows out from the inflow pipe upper part 11 to the turning part 9.

  As described above, in the oil separator 1T and the oil separator 1U according to the sixth embodiment, a part of the oil droplets flows from the upper part of the inflow pipe 11 to the swivel unit 9 due to gravity or the swirl downward flow on the side close to the shell 3. leak. If the oil droplet on the side close to the shell 3 in the swivel unit 9 moves radially outward by centrifugal force, it immediately adheres to the shell 3 and is thus easily separated from the refrigerant. Therefore, the oil separator 1Q, the oil separator 1R, and the oil separator 1S according to Embodiment 6 further improve the oil separation efficiency.

  In addition, embodiment of this invention is not limited to the said Embodiment 1-6, A various change can be added. For example, although the specific example was demonstrated about the structure of the upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism in Embodiment 1-6, not only each structure demonstrated in each embodiment but an upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism is 2 or more embodiment. A combination of these configurations may also be used.

  1 oil separator, 1A oil separator, 1B oil separator, 1C oil separator, 1D oil separator, 1E oil separator, 1F oil separator, 1G oil separator, 1H oil separator, 1I oil separator, 1J oil separator, 1K oil separator, 1L oil separator, 1M oil separator, 1N oil separator, 1O oil separator, 1P oil separator, 1Q oil separator, 1R oil separator, 1S oil separator, 1T oil separator, 1U oil separator, 2 container, 3 shell, 4 upper end plate, 4a upper end, 5 lower end plate, 5a lower end, 6 inflow pipe, 6a front end, 6b inflow port, 7 gas outflow pipe, 7a Lower end part, 8 Oil outflow pipe, 9 Swivel part, 10 Bottom part, 11 Inflow pipe upper part, 12 Ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism, 12a Wall part, 13 Upper space, 13A Upper space, 13B Upper space, 13C Upper space, 13D Upper space , 13E upper sky , 14 Ventilation hole, 51 Oil separator, 100 Refrigeration cycle apparatus, 101 Compressor, 102 Oil return pipe, 103 Condenser, 104 Expansion valve, 105 Evaporator, 112 Ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism, 112A Ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism, 112A1 Wall, 112B Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 212 Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 212A Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 212B Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 212C Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 212D Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 212E Ascending swirling flow Suppressing mechanism, 212H wall, 312 Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 312A Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 312B Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 312C Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 312H Wall, 412 Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 412A Ascending swirling flow Suppression mechanism, 412B ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism, 412Ba rib, 41 2C Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 412Ca rib, 412H wall portion, 412Ha wall portion, 412Hb wall portion, 412Hc wall portion, 512 Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 512A Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 512B Ascending swirling flow suppressing mechanism, 512H wall portion 512Ha wall portion, 512Hb wall portion, 513 lower surface portion, 513a outer edge portion, 513b inner edge portion.

An oil separator according to the present invention is connected to a container having a peripheral wall forming a cylindrical inner wall surface and a tangential direction of the inner wall surface, and allows a mixed fluid mixed with gas and oil to flow into the container. An inflow pipe is connected to the upper part of the container, one end is located inside the container and the other end is located outside the container, and is connected to a gas outflow pipe for letting the gas in the container flow out to the outside, and the lower part of the container An oil outflow pipe that causes the oil in the container to flow out to the outside, and has a wall portion that forms a gap communicating in the vertical direction, and at the upper part of the inflow pipe, an inner wall of the container and an outer wall of the gas outflow pipe disposed in the space between the, and the wall portion have a rising swirl flow suppressing unit suppresses the increase swirling flow formed in the upper portion of the inlet pipe by impeding the flow of the mixed fluid, constituting the upwardly whirling flow suppression mechanism The upper part as the space between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe The wall portion is formed in a plate shape in the horizontal direction of the container, the wall portion is made of a stretchable material, and communicates the space above and below the ascending swirl flow suppression mechanism. A vent hole is formed, and the wall portion is disposed in contact with the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe. The second structure that a gap is formed between the mechanism and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe is in contact with the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe, and a gap is formed between the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism and the inner wall of the container When this is the third configuration, the wall portion has any one of the first configuration, the second configuration, and the third configuration .

Claims (12)

A container having a peripheral wall forming a cylindrical inner wall surface;
An inflow pipe connected to the container along a tangential direction of the inner wall surface, for allowing a mixed fluid mixed with gas and oil to flow into the container;
A gas outflow pipe connected to the upper part of the container, having one end located inside the container and the other end located outside the container, and allowing the gas in the container to flow out;
An oil outflow pipe connected to the lower part of the container and allowing the oil in the container to flow out to the outside;
With
A wall portion that forms a gap communicating in the vertical direction, and is disposed in a space between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe at an upper portion of the inflow pipe, and hinders the flow of the mixed fluid An oil separator having an upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism that suppresses the upward swirling flow formed in the upper portion of the inflow pipe.   The wall portion constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism is made of a stretchable material, and is disposed in contact with the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe inside the container. Item 2. The oil separator according to Item 1.   The wall portion constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism is in contact with the inner wall of the container inside the container, and a gap is formed between the rising swirl flow suppressing mechanism and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe. The oil separator according to claim 1.   The wall portion constituting the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism is in contact with the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe inside the container, and a gap is formed between the ascending swirl flow suppressing mechanism and the inner wall of the container. The oil separator according to claim 1.   5. The upper space is formed as a space between the wall portion constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism, the inner wall of the container, and the outer wall of the gas outflow pipe. The oil separator according to item.   The oil separator according to claim 5, wherein the wall portion constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism is extended in a plate shape in a horizontal direction of the container.   The wall portion constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism is made of a stretchable material, and a vent hole is formed in the wall portion for communicating the upper and lower spaces of the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism. The oil separator according to claim 6.   The said wall part which comprises the said upward swirl | vortex flow suppression mechanism is comprised by the some board extended in the perpendicular direction and radial direction with respect to the central axis of the said container. Oil separator. The wall portion constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism is
The said container is comprised by the at least 2 or more several board extended in the direction parallel to the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the said gas outflow pipe | tube in any one of Claims 2-5. The oil separator as described. The upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism further includes at least two or more plural ribs at a lower portion of the wall portion,
The plurality of ribs are
The oil separator according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the oil separator is configured by a plate extending in a direction parallel to a tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the gas outflow pipe in the container. The lower surface portion of the wall portion constituting the upward swirling flow suppressing mechanism is
In the radial direction of the said container, the outer edge part by the side of the surrounding wall of the said container is dented upward, and the inner edge part by the side of the said gas outflow pipe protrudes below, The slope is formed. The oil separator according to any one of 7.   A refrigeration cycle apparatus on which the oil separator according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is mounted.

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