WO2023182595A1

WO2023182595A1 - Oil separator and air conditioner including same

Info

Publication number: WO2023182595A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/012877
Authority: WO
Inventors: 양홍주; 정청우; 류병진; 차우호
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2022-03-22
Filing date: 2022-08-29
Publication date: 2023-09-28
Also published as: KR20230137688A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oil separator comprising: a housing including an upper plate, a lower plate disposed on the opposite side of the upper plate, and a side plate connecting the upper plate and the lower plate, and having a space where a refrigerant and an oil flow therein; a first separation unit disposed at the space of the housing and configured to separate the oil having a first size from the refrigerant; a second separation unit disposed under the first separation unit and configured to separate the oil having a second size smaller than the first size from the refrigerant; and a third separation unit disposed under the second separation unit and configured to separate the oil having a third size smaller than the second size from the refrigerant, wherein the fluid flows sequentially through the first separation unit, the second separation unit, and the third separation unit.

Description

Oil separator and air conditioner including the same

The present invention relates to an oil separator and an air conditioner including the same.

Generally, an air conditioner consists of a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the compressed refrigerant, an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the condensed refrigerant, and an evaporator that vaporizes the refrigerant. As the refrigerant circulates through the condenser and evaporator, it cools and heats the room through phase change.

Meanwhile, oil is supplied to the compressor for lubrication of the moving parts. When the compressed refrigerant is discharged from the compressor, the oil may be mixed with the refrigerant and discharged together with the refrigerant. In this case, the refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit in a state containing oil.

When oil is mixed with refrigerant and circulates in the refrigerant circuit, some of the oil remains in heat exchangers such as condensers and evaporators, which reduces the performance of the heat exchangers.

Additionally, when oil is mixed with the refrigerant and circulates through the refrigerant circuit, some of the oil may remain in the flow path and interfere with the flow of the refrigerant, which causes a problem in that heat exchange performance is deteriorated.

Additionally, if oil continues to leak out of the compressor, the compressor may be damaged due to lack of oil.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an oil separator capable of simultaneously recovering refrigerant and removing oil, and an air conditioner including the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an oil separator capable of effectively removing oil contained in a refrigerant and an air conditioner including the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an oil separator capable of smoothly collecting oil contained in a refrigerant and an air conditioner including the same.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the above object, the oil separator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an upper plate, a lower plate disposed on the opposite side of the upper plate, and a side plate connecting the upper plate and the lower plate, and a space inside which refrigerant and oil flow. A housing is formed; a first separator disposed in the space of the housing and separating oil of a first size from the refrigerant; a second separator disposed below the first separator and separating oil of a second size smaller than the first size from the refrigerant; and a third separator disposed below the second separator and separating oil of a third size smaller than the second size from the refrigerant, wherein the fluid is separated from the first separator, the second separator, and the second separator. The third separator may flow sequentially.

The housing is disposed in the space of the housing and includes a first separation plate dividing a first separation space of the first separation part and a second separation space of the second separation part, and the first separation part is the housing. an inflow pipe coupled to the side plate and flowing a mixed fluid of the refrigerant and the oil into the first separation space of the first separation unit; And it may include a first connection pipe penetrating the first separator plate and connecting the first separator and the second separator.

The first separator includes a first discharge pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing, and the first discharge pipe may be disposed at a lower position than the inlet pipe.

The first connection pipe extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and one end of the first connection pipe may be located at a higher position than the inflow pipe.

The first connector includes a first part disposed in the first separation space of the first separator and a second portion disposed in the second separation space of the second separator, and the first portion of the first connector is The length of one part may be longer than the length of the second part of the first connector.

The housing may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

The first separator includes an inlet pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing, and the inlet pipe may extend from the side plate of the housing in a circumferential direction of the housing.

The first connector may be coupled to the center of the first separator plate.

The housing is disposed in the space of the housing, and includes a first separator plate disposed in the housing and dividing the first separation space of the first separator and the second separation space of the second separator, and a first separator plate disposed in the housing and dividing the second separation space of the second separator. It may include a second separation plate dividing the second separation space and the third separation space of the third separation unit, and the second separation unit may include a mesh plate disposed between the first separation plate and the second separation plate. You can.

A first connector passing through the first separator plate and having one end disposed in the first separation space and the other end disposed in the second separation space is coupled to the first separator plate, and the mesh plate is connected to the first separator plate. It may be placed in a lower position than the other end of the connector.

The second separator includes a second connection pipe penetrating the second separator plate and connecting the second separation space and the third separation space; and a second discharge pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing, wherein the second discharge pipe may be disposed at a lower position than one end of the second connection pipe.

The second separator includes a third connector that penetrates the second separator plate and connects the second separator space and the third separator space, and the second connector includes the third connector and the second separator. They can be spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connector.

A first connector is coupled to the first separator plate to connect the first separator and the second separator through the first separator plate, and the first connector connects the second connector to the first separator. There may be no overlap in the longitudinal direction of the connector.

The third separator includes a charging unit that charges the oil particles in a fluid containing a mixture of the refrigerant and the oil; And it may include a water collecting part disposed below the charging part and collecting the charged oil particles.

The third separator includes a refrigerant recovery pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing; and a third discharge pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing at a position lower than the refrigerant recovery pipe.

The charging unit includes a plurality of discharge electrodes, a plurality of ground electrodes disposed between the plurality of discharge electrodes, and a first power supply electrically connected to the discharge electrode and the ground electrode, and places the discharge electrode in a rectangular shape. It is provided as a shaped plate electrode, and the ground electrode may be provided as a wire electrode.

The collection unit includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes disposed between the plurality of first electrodes, and a second power supply electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, The first electrode may be arranged to be stepped from the second electrode.

The gap between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode of the charging unit may be smaller than the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode of the collecting unit.

The refrigerant separated from the fluid mixed with the refrigerant and the oil flows in a first direction from the first separator toward the third separator, and the oil separated from the fluid mixed with the refrigerant and the oil flows in the first direction. It can flow in the first direction.

An oil separator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing including an upper plate, a lower plate disposed on the opposite side of the upper plate, and a side plate connecting the upper plate and the lower plate, and forming a space within which refrigerant and oil flow; a first separator disposed in the space of the housing and separating oil of a first size from the refrigerant; a second separator disposed below the first separator and separating oil of a second size smaller than the first size from the refrigerant; a third separator disposed below the second separator and separating oil of a third size smaller than the second size from the refrigerant; a first separator disposed in the space of the housing and dividing a first separation space of the first separator and a second separation space of the second separator; and a second separator disposed on the first separator and dividing a second separation space of the second separator and a third separation space of the third separator, wherein the first separator includes the first separator of the housing. It is coupled to the side plate and connected to an inflow pipe that introduces a fluid mixed with the refrigerant and the oil into the first separation space of the first separator, and is coupled to the side plate of the housing to the third separator and is connected to the fluid from the fluid. A refrigerant recovery pipe discharging the separated refrigerant may be connected.

The first separator includes a first connection pipe penetrating the first separator, and the second separator includes a mesh plate disposed between the first separator and the second separator. The third separator may include a charging unit that charges the oil particles in a fluid containing a mixture of the refrigerant and the oil, and a water collection unit that is disposed below the charging unit and collects the charged oil particles.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an oil separator capable of effectively separating the oil contained in the refrigerant and improving the quality of the regenerated refrigerant, and an air conditioner including the same can be provided.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the quality of the regenerated refrigerant is improved by effectively removing oil contained in the refrigerant through a first separator using centrifugal force, a second separator using contact force, and a third separator using electric force. You can do it.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, oil collection can be performed smoothly by providing a structure of an oil separator in which the flow direction of the refrigerant and the falling direction of the oil are the same, and through this, the quality of the regenerated refrigerant can be improved. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an oil separator capable of smoothly collecting oil and/or contaminants contained in a refrigerant and an air conditioner including the same.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an oil separator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an oil separator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing a charged part of an oil separator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing the oil collection part of an oil separator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of a charging unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing another example of a water collection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of refrigerant and oil in an oil separator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an oil separator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of an oil separator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of refrigerant and oil according to the application of the separator in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a system diagram of an air conditioner to which an oil separator according to one embodiment of the present invention or another oil separator is applied to another embodiment of the present invention.

The separation space S1 may be formed on the second separation space S2. The first separation space S1 may refer to a space where the first separation unit 120 is disposed. In the first separation space S1, the first separator 120 may separate oil from the refrigerant. In the first separation space S1, the first separator 120 may separate the oil O1 of the first size from the refrigerant.

The space of the housing 110 may include a second separation space (S2). The second separation space S2 may be formed by combining a portion of the side plate 113 of the housing 110, the first separation plate 114, and the second separation plate 115. The second separation space (S2) may be formed below the first separation space (S1). The second separation space (S2) may be formed on the third separation space (S3). The second separation space (S2) may be formed between the first separation space (S3) and the second separation space (S3). The second separation space S2 may refer to a space where the second separation unit 130 is disposed. In the second separation space S2, the second separator 130 may separate oil from the refrigerant. In the second separation space S2, the second separator 130 may separate oil (O2) of the second size from the refrigerant. At this time, the second size may be smaller than the first size.

The space of the housing 110 may include a third separation space S3. The third separation space (S3) may be formed below the second separation space (S2). The third separation space S3 may be formed by combining the lower plate 112 of the housing 110, a portion of the side plate 113 of the housing 110, and the second separation plate 115. The third separation space S3 may refer to a space where the third separation unit 140 is disposed. In the third separation space S3, the third separator 140 may separate oil from the refrigerant. In the third separation space S3, the third separator 140 may separate the third size oil O3 from the refrigerant. At this time, the third size may be smaller than the second size.

The oil separator 100 may include a first separator 120. The first separator 120 may be disposed in the first separation space S1 of the housing 110. The first separator 120 can separate refrigerant and oil from a fluid containing a mixture of refrigerant and oil. The first separator 120 can separate the oil contained in the refrigerant from the refrigerant. The first separator 120 may separate oil (O1) of the first size from the refrigerant. The first separator 120 can separate the refrigerant and oil using centrifugal force. The first separator 120 can separate the refrigerant and oil using inertial force. In the first separator 120, a fluid containing a mixture of refrigerant and oil may flow in a cyclone and be separated. In the first separator 120, the refrigerant and oil contained in the cyclonic flowing fluid can be separated by the difference in mass. In the first separator 120, the refrigerant and oil contained in the cyclonic flowing fluid may be separated by a difference in density.

The first separator 120 may include an inlet pipe 121. A flow path through which refrigerant and/or oil can flow may be formed inside the inlet pipe 121. The inlet pipe 121 may introduce refrigerant into the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110. The inlet pipe 121 may introduce refrigerant containing oil into the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110. The inlet pipe 121 may introduce refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 of the air conditioner 10, which will be described later, into the first separation space S1 of the housing 110. In this case, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 may contain oil.

The inlet pipe 121 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The inlet pipe 121 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110 at a higher position than the first discharge pipe 123, which will be described later. The inlet pipe 121 may be disposed closer to the upper plate 111 of the housing 110 than the first discharge pipe 123. The inlet pipe 121 may be placed at a lower position than the inlet 1221 of the first connection pipe 122, which will be described later. The inflow pipe 121 may overlap the first connection pipe 122 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first connection pipe 122. The inflow pipe 121 may overlap the body 1223 of the first connection pipe 122 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first connection pipe 122.

The inlet pipe 121 may extend in a direction different from the direction in which the housing 110 extends. The inlet pipe 121 may extend in a curved direction with a curvature different from the curvature of the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The inlet pipe 121 may extend from the side plate 113 of the housing 110 in the circumferential direction of the housing 110. The inlet pipe 121 may extend curved in a tangential direction of the housing 110 with respect to the point where it is coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110. Through this, the refrigerant discharged into the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110 through the inlet pipe 121 can flow along the inner peripheral surface of the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The refrigerant discharged into the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110 through the inlet pipe 121 may flow along the inner peripheral surface of the side plate 113 of the housing 110 to form a curve. The refrigerant discharged into the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110 through the inlet pipe 121 may flow along the inner peripheral surface of the side plate 113 of the housing 110 to form a turbulent current. The refrigerant discharged into the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110 through the inlet pipe 121 may rotate along the inner surface of the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The refrigerant discharged into the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110 through the inlet pipe 121 may form a cyclonic flow. The refrigerant discharged into the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110 through the inlet pipe 121 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise about the central axis of the housing 110.

The refrigerant and oil discharged to the first separation space (S1) of the housing 110 through the inlet pipe 121 may be separated during the flow. Oil has a greater mass than refrigerant. Oil has a greater density than refrigerant. Therefore, in the process of flowing a fluid mixed with oil and refrigerant, the flow trajectories of the oil and refrigerant with different masses and/or densities change. In the process of flowing a fluid mixed with oil and refrigerant, different centrifugal forces are applied to the oil and refrigerant with different masses and/or densities. The centrifugal force acting on the oil may be greater than the centrifugal force acting on the refrigerant. When a mixed fluid of oil and refrigerant flows in a cyclone, oil with a large mass and/or density is moved radially from the center of the cyclone flow by a large centrifugal force, and oil with a small mass and/or density is moved by a small centrifugal force. It can be moved in the direction toward the center of the cyclonic flow. During this process, oil and refrigerant can be separated. Oil moved radially from the center of the cyclone flow by centrifugal force may fall downward by gravity. The dropped oil may be temporarily contained in the first separation plate 114. In the first separator 120, oil (O1) of the first size can be separated from the fluid in which the refrigerant and oil are mixed.

The first separator 120 may include a first connector 122. The first connector 122 may be coupled to the first separator plate 114. The first connector 122 may penetrate the first separator plate 114. The first connector 122 may penetrate the center of the first separator plate 114. The first connector 122 penetrates the first separator 114 and connects the first separation space S1 of the first separator 120 and the second separation space S2 of the second separator 130. You can connect. A flow path may be formed inside the first connector 122. The refrigerant from which the oil is initially separated by the first separator 120 may flow in the passage of the first connection pipe 122. A fluid in which oil of the first size is separated from a fluid in which a refrigerant and oil are mixed may flow in the passage of the first connection pipe 122.

The first connector 122 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. The first connector 122 may include a first part disposed in the first separation space (S1) and a second part disposed in the second separation space (S2). The length of the first portion of the first connector 122 may be longer than the length of the second portion of the first connector 122. The first connector 122 includes an inlet 1221 formed at one end of the first connector 122, an outlet 1222 formed at the other end of the first connector 122, an inlet 1221, and an outlet ( 1222) and may include a body 1223 in which a flow path is formed. The inlet 1221 of the first connection pipe 122 may be placed in the first separation space S1, and the outlet 12220 of the first connection pipe 122 may be placed in the second separation space S2. The inlet 1221 of the first connection pipe 122 may be an opening through which a fluid in which oil of the first size is separated from a fluid mixed with refrigerant and oil flows into the flow path of the first connection pipe 122. First connection The outlet 1222 of the pipe 122 may be an opening through which fluid flowing through the flow path of the first connection pipe 122 is discharged into the second separation space S2. The inlet 1221 of the first connection pipe 122 ) may be located at a higher position than the inlet pipe 121. At least a portion of the body 1223 of the first connection pipe 122 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the inflow pipe 121 and the first connection pipe 122. Can overlap in one direction.

The first separator 120 may include a first discharge pipe 123. The first discharge pipe 123 may discharge oil separated from the refrigerant. The first discharge pipe 123 may have a flow path formed therein. The first discharge pipe 123 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The first discharge pipe 123 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 100 at a lower position than the inlet pipe 121. The first discharge pipe 123 may be adjacent to the first separation plate 114. The first discharge pipe 123 may be disposed closer to the first separation plate 114 than the inlet pipe 121. The first discharge pipe 123 may be disposed closer to the separation plate 114 than to the upper plate 111 of the housing 110. A first valve 1231 may be installed in the first discharge pipe 123. The first valve 1231 can control the flow rate of fluid (oil) flowing through the flow path of the first discharge pipe 123.

Oil separated from the refrigerant in the first separator 120 may fall to the first separator 114 by gravity. Oil accumulated on the first separator plate 114 may be discharged through the first discharge pipe 123 disposed adjacent to the first separator plate 114. The first discharge pipe 123 may be connected to the compressor 11 of the air conditioner 10.

The oil separator 100 may include a second separator 130. The second separator 130 may be disposed in the second separation space S2 of the housing 110. The second separator 130 may separate oil from a fluid containing a mixture of refrigerant and oil. The second separator 130 may secondarily separate oil from the mixed fluid from which the oil was first separated in the first separator 120. The second separator 130 can separate oil (O2) of the second size from the refrigerant. The second separator 130 can separate the refrigerant and oil using contact force.

The second separator 130 may include a mesh plate 131. The mesh plate 131 may be placed in the second separation space (S2). The mesh plate 131 may be disposed between the first separator plate 114 and the second separator plate 115. The mesh plate 131 may be spaced apart from the first separation plate 114. The mesh plate 131 may be spaced apart from the second separation plate 115. The mesh plate 131 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The mesh plate 131 may be in contact with the inner surface of the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The mesh plate 131 may be disposed below the outlet 1222 of the first connector 122. The mesh plate 131 may include a plurality of holes. The refrigerant-oil mixed fluid discharged through the outlet 1222 of the first connection pipe 122 may pass through the mesh plate 131. As the refrigerant-oil mixed fluid discharged through the outlet 1222 of the 21st connector 122 passes through a plurality of holes in the mesh plate 131, oil (O2) of the second size is transferred to the mesh plate 131. can be separated from The diameter of the hole in the mesh plate 131 may be smaller than that of the second size oil (O2).

The second separator 130 may include a second connector 132. It may include a second connector 132. The second connector 132 may be coupled to the second separator plate 115. The second connector 132 may penetrate the second separator plate 115. The second connector 132 may be disposed in a position off-center of the second separator 115. The second connector 132 may be disposed at an edge area of the second separator plate 115. The second connector 132 may connect the second separation space S2 and the third separation space S3 by penetrating the second separation plate 115. A flow path may be formed inside the second connector 132. The refrigerant from which the oil has been separated by the second separator 130 may flow in the flow path of the second connection pipe 132. A fluid in which oil of a second size is separated from a fluid in which a refrigerant and oil are mixed may flow in the passage of the second connector 132.

The second connector 132 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. The second connector 132 may include a first part disposed in the second separation space S2 and a second part disposed in the third separation space S3. The length of the first portion of the second connector 132 may be longer than the length of the second portion of the second connector 132.

The second connector 132 includes an inlet 1321 formed at one end of the second connector 132, an outlet 1322 formed at the other end of the second connector 132, an inlet 1321, and an outlet. It may include a body 1323 that connects 1322 and has a flow path formed therein. The inlet 1321 of the second connection pipe 132 may be placed in the second separation space (S2), and the outlet 1322 of the second connection pipe 132 may be placed in the third separation space (S3). The inlet 1321 of the second connection pipe 132 may be an opening through which the fluid in which the oil (O2) of the second size is separated from the fluid mixed with the refrigerant and oil flows into the flow path of the second connection pipe 132. . The outlet 1322 of the second connector 132 may be an opening through which fluid flowing through the flow path of the second connector 132 is discharged into the third separation space S3. The inlet 1321 of the second connection pipe 132 may be placed at a higher position than the second discharge pipe 134, which will be described later. Through this, it is possible to prevent oil separated from the refrigerant and stored in the second separator 115 from flowing into the inlet 1321 of the second connection pipe 132.

The second separator 130 may include a third connector 133. The third connector 133 may have the same structure as the second connector 132. The third connector 133 may be coupled to the second separator plate 115. The third connector 133 may penetrate the second separator plate 115. The third connector 133 may be disposed in a position off-center of the second separator plate 115. The third connector 133 may be disposed at an edge area of the second separator 115. The third connector 133 may penetrate the second separation plate 115 and connect the second separation space S2 and the third separation space S3. A flow path may be formed inside the third connector 133. The refrigerant from which the oil has been separated by the second separator 130 may flow in the passage of the third connection pipe 133. A fluid in which oil of a second size is separated from a fluid in which a refrigerant and oil are mixed may flow in the passage of the third connector 133.

The third connector 133 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. The third connector 133 may include a first part disposed in the second separation space S2 and a second part disposed in the third separation space S3. The length of the first portion of the third connector 133 may be longer than the length of the second portion of the third connector 133.

The third connector 133 includes an inlet 1331 formed at one end of the third connector 133, an outlet 1332 formed at the other end of the third connector 133, an inlet 1331, and an outlet. It may include a body 1333 that connects 1332 and has a flow path formed therein. The inlet 1331 of the third connection pipe 133 may be placed in the second separation space (S2), and the outlet 1332 of the third connection pipe 133 may be placed in the third separation space (S3). The inlet 1331 of the third connection pipe 133 may be an opening through which the fluid in which the second size oil (O2) is separated from the fluid mixed with the refrigerant and oil flows into the flow path of the third connection pipe 133. . The outlet 1332 of the third connector 133 may be an opening through which fluid flowing through the flow path of the third connector 133 is discharged into the third separation space S3. The inlet 1331 of the third connection pipe 133 may be placed at a higher position than the second discharge pipe 134, which will be described later. Through this, it is possible to prevent oil separated from the refrigerant and stored in the second separator 115 from flowing into the inlet 1331 of the third connection pipe 133.

The third connector 133 may be spaced apart from the second connector 132 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second connector 132. The third connector 133 and the second connector 132 may be disposed on opposite sides of the second separator 115 based on the center. The second connector 132 may not overlap the first connector 122 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 122 . The third connector 133 may not overlap the first connector 122 in the longitudinal direction.

The second separator 130 may include a second discharge pipe 134. The second discharge pipe 134 may discharge oil separated from the refrigerant. The second discharge pipe 134 may have a flow path formed therein. The second discharge pipe 134 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The second discharge pipe 134 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 100 at a lower position than the inlet 1321 of the second connection pipe 132 and/or the inlet 1331 of the third connection pipe 133. You can. The second discharge pipe 134 may be adjacent to the second separation plate 115. The second discharge pipe 134 may be disposed closer to the second separator plate 115 than the inlet 1321 of the second connection pipe 132 and/or the inlet 1331 of the third connection pipe 133. . A second valve 1241 may be installed in the first discharge pipe 123. The second valve 1341 can control the flow rate of fluid (oil) flowing through the flow path of the second discharge pipe 134.

Oil separated from the refrigerant in the second separator 130 may fall to the second separator 115 by gravity. Oil stored in the second separator 115 may be discharged through the second discharge pipe 134 disposed adjacent to the second separator 115. The second discharge pipe 134 may be connected to the compressor 11 of the air conditioner 10.

The oil separator 100 may include a third separator 140. The third separator 140 may be disposed in the third separation space S3 of the housing 110. The third separator 140 can separate the oil contained in the refrigerant from the refrigerant. The third separator 140 can separate the third size oil (O3) from the refrigerant. The third separator 140 can separate the refrigerant and oil using electric force. The third separator 140 can separate the refrigerant and oil using corona discharge technology.

The third separator 140 may include a charging unit 141. The charging unit 141 can charge the oil passing through the charging unit 141 by imparting polarity to it. The charging unit 141 may impart polarity to the oil included in the refrigerant-oil mixed fluid passing through the charging unit 141. The charging unit 141 may impart the same polarity to the oil passing through the charging unit 141. Hereinafter, the charging unit 141 will be described as an example of charging oil particles to have positive polarity.

The charging unit 141 includes a discharge electrode 1411, a ground electrode 1412 opposite the discharge electrode 1411, and a first power supply electrically connected to the discharge electrode 1411 and the ground electrode 1412. 1413). 'Electrically connected', as expressed below, encompasses not only direct contact to allow electricity to flow, but also connection through other conductors.

The discharge electrode 1411 may include a plurality of discharge electrodes 1411. The ground electrode 1412 may include a plurality of ground electrodes 1412. A plurality of ground electrodes 1412 may be disposed between a plurality of discharge electrodes 1411. The discharge electrode 1411 and the ground electrode 1412 may be alternately arranged. A plurality of discharge electrodes 1411 may be disposed on the two ground electrodes 1412. A plurality of discharge electrodes 1411 disposed between two ground electrodes 1412 may be arranged in a row. When the plurality of discharge electrodes 1411 disposed between two ground electrodes 1412 are referred to as a discharge electrode group, a plurality of discharge electrode groups may be disposed between the plurality of ground electrodes 1412. A plurality of ground electrodes 1412 and a plurality of discharge electrode groups may be alternately arranged.

The discharge electrode 1411 may be provided as a wire electrode, and the ground electrode 1412 may be provided as a square-shaped plate electrode. The charging unit 141 may be provided as a Wire-Plate Type. However, it is not limited to this. As an example, referring to FIG. 5, the charging unit 141 may be provided as a Tip-Plate Type. Alternatively, the charging unit 141 may be provided as a wire-cylinder type.

The first power supply device 1413 may be electrically connected to the discharge electrode 1411 and the ground electrode 1412. The first power supply device 1413 may apply a high voltage to the discharge electrode 1411. When a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 1411, corona discharge may occur in the discharge electrode 1411.

Oil particles that pass through the charging unit 141 may be positively charged.

The third separation unit 140 may include a water collection unit 142. The water collection unit 142 may be disposed below the charging unit 141. The oil collecting part 142 can collect the oil charged in the charging part 141. The oil collection unit 142 can collect charged oil using an electric field. The collecting portion 142 may include a first electrode 1421 and a second electrode 1421 facing the first electrode 1421. The first electrode 1421 may include a plurality of first electrodes 1421, and the second electrode 1422 may include a plurality of second electrodes 1422. The plurality of first electrodes 1421 and the plurality of second electrodes 1422 may be alternately arranged. The first electrode 1421 may be a square-shaped plate electrode. The second electrode 1421 may be a square-shaped plate electrode. The first electrode 1421 and the second electrode 1422 may be arranged to be stepped. In other words, the collecting portion 142 may be provided as a multi-stage plate electrode in which the first electrode 1421 and the second electrode 1422 are arranged at different levels. However, it is not limited to this. As an example, referring to FIG. 6, the water collection portion 142 may be provided as a plurality of circular plate electrodes having different diameters. Alternatively, the water collection unit 142 may be provided as a mesh-type oil collection plate.

The water collection unit 142 may include a second power supply device 1423 that supplies power to the first electrode 1421 and the second electrode 1422. The second power supply device 1423 may be electrically connected to the first electrode 1421 and the second electrode 1422. When a low source is supplied to the first electrode 1421 and/or the second electrode 1422, a magnetic field may be formed between the first electrode 1421 and the second electrode 1422. In this case, the charged oil in the charging unit 141 may be captured in the magnetic field formed between the first electrode 1421 and the second electrode 1422.

The gap between the first electrode 1421 and the second electrode 1422 may be smaller than the gap between the charging electrode 1411 and the ground electrode 1412. Through this, a dense magnetic field can be formed, improving oil collection efficiency.

The third separator 140 may include a third discharge pipe 143. The third discharge pipe 143 can discharge oil separated from the refrigerant. The third discharge pipe 143 may have a flow path formed therein. The third discharge pipe 143 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The third discharge pipe 143 may be placed at a lower position than the refrigerant recovery pipe 144, which will be described later. The third discharge pipe 143 may be disposed adjacent to the lower plate 112 of the housing 110. The third discharge pipe 143 may be disposed between the refrigerant recovery pipe 144 and the lower plate 112 of the housing 110. A third valve 1431 may be installed in the third discharge pipe 143. The third valve 1431 can control the flow rate of fluid (oil) flowing through the flow path of the third discharge pipe 143.

The oil separated from the refrigerant in the third separator 140 may fall to the lower plate 112 of the housing 110 by gravity. Oil stored in the lower plate 112 of the housing 110 may be discharged through the third discharge pipe 143. The third discharge pipe 143 may be connected to the compressor 11 of the air conditioner 10.

The third separator 140 may include a refrigerant recovery pipe 144. The refrigerant recovery pipe 144 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110. The refrigerant recovery pipe 144 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110 at a position lower than the collecting part 142. The refrigerant recovery pipe 144 may be coupled to the side plate 113 of the housing 110 at a higher position than the third discharge pipe 143. The refrigerant recovery pipe 144 may have a flow path formed therein. The refrigerant from which the oil has been separated may flow in the passage of the refrigerant recovery pipe 144. The refrigerant recovery pipe 144 may be connected to a pipe connected to the condenser 12 of the air conditioner 10.

Hereinafter, the flow of refrigerant and oil in the oil separator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 7, the flow direction of the refrigerant may be the same as the flow direction of the oil. When the direction from the upper plate 111 of the housing 110 to the lower plate 112 is referred to as the first direction, both the flow direction of the refrigerant and the flow direction of the oil may be the first direction. If the direction in which the refrigerant travels and the direction in which the oil falls intersect, the flow of the refrigerant may interfere with the collection of oil, and in this case, the quality of the regenerated refrigerant may deteriorate. Accordingly, in the oil separator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a structure of the oil separator 100 is presented in which the direction in which the refrigerant travels is the same as the flow direction of the oil (the direction in which it falls due to gravity). The oil separator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first separator 120 in which oil is primarily collected, a second separator 130 in which oil is secondarily collected, and a third separator in which oil is thirdly collected. As the separators 140 are sequentially arranged in the first direction, the direction of movement of the refrigerant is the same as the direction of movement of the oil.

Referring to FIG. 7, the refrigerant-oil mixed fluid flows into the first separator 120, and the oil (O1) of the first size is primarily separated from the refrigerant. The refrigerant from which the oil has been separated in the first separator 120 flows to the second separator 130 through the inlet pipe 121. The refrigerant flowing into the second separator 130 passes through the mesh plate 131 and is separated into oil (O2) of the second size. The refrigerant from which the oil has been separated flows into the third separation unit 140 through the second and/or

third connection pipes

132 and 133. As the refrigerant flows into the third separator 130, the oil particles are charged as it passes through the charging unit 141. As it passes through the collecting unit 142, the charged foreign particles are collected in the collecting unit 142, and the refrigerant is It is discharged to the outside of the oil separator 100 through the refrigerant recovery pipe 144.

Hereinafter, an oil separator 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an oil separator according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a view showing a modification of the oil separator according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a variation of the oil separator according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an oil separator according to another embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram schematically showing the flow of refrigerant and oil.

The oil separator 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured to be different from the oil separator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention only in the arrangement relationship of the first to

third separators

120, 130, and 140. are all the same. Therefore, the following description will focus on the differences between the oil separator 100 according to an embodiment, the same configurations will be assigned the same drawing numbers as those of the oil separator 100 according to an embodiment, and related descriptions will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, the oil separator 200 according to another embodiment includes the first separator 120, the second separator 130, and the third separator 140 on the lower plate 112 of the housing 110. may be sequentially arranged in a direction toward the upper plate 111 of the housing 110. That is, the oil separator 200 includes a first separator 120, a second separator 130 disposed above the first separator 120, and a third separator disposed above the second separator 130. It may include a separation portion 140. Referring to FIG. 8, in the case of the oil separator 200 according to another embodiment, the moving direction of the refrigerant and the moving direction of the oil may be different. The direction from the upper plate 111 of the housing 110 to the lower plate 112 is called the first direction, and the direction from the lower plate 112 of the housing 110 to the upper plate 111 is called the second direction. , the refrigerant may proceed in the second direction, and the oil may proceed in the first direction.

The first separator 120 may be formed in a cone shape. The first separator 120 may be formed in the shape of an inverted triangular pyramid. In this case, there is an advantage that the flow rate of the refrigerant-oil mixed fluid can be faster.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the first separator 120 may include a partition wall 201 . The partition wall 201 may be disposed between the first separator plate 114 and the lower plate 112. Referring to FIG. 11, oil in the mixed fluid rising while forming a cyclonic flow collides with the partition wall 201 and may fall due to gravity. The partition wall 201 has the advantage of increasing the separation speed in the first separation unit 120.

Referring to FIG. 10, the second separator 130 and the third separator 140 may be integrated. In this case, the second separator 115 may be omitted. Additionally, the mesh plate 131 may serve as an electrode of the water collection portion 142.

Hereinafter, the air conditioner 10 to which the oil separator 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention or the oil separator 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 11, the air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 11 that compresses the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 12 that receives the refrigerant from the compressor 11 and condenses it, and the condensed refrigerant. An expander (13) that expands the It can be included. The outdoor heat exchanger 12 may be a condenser. The indoor heat exchanger 14 may be an evaporator. The

oil separator

100, 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention or the oil separator 200 according to another embodiment may be applied.

In general, in the case of an inertial oil collection method using centrifugal force, oil separation efficiency is determined by the flow speed of the refrigerant, and there is a problem that the lower the flow speed of the refrigerant, the lower the oil separation efficiency. In addition, in the case of a general inertial oil collection method, even if the flow rate of the refrigerant increases above a certain level, there is a limit to the size of oil that can be separated, and in general, no matter how high the flow rate is, there is a problem that oil size of 1 μm or less cannot be separated. Therefore, there is a problem that the quality of refrigerant regeneration is deteriorated due to limitations in oil separation efficiency and the size of separable oil using only an inertial oil collection type oil separator.

Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant is sequentially passed through the first separator 120 of the inertial oil collection method, the second separator 130 of the contact oil collection method, and the third separator 140 of the electric oil collection method. By passing through the refrigerant, even small-sized oil can be separated from the refrigerant, thereby improving the quality of the regenerated refrigerant.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and can be used in the technical field to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the patent claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or perspective of the present invention.

The present disclosure may be modified and implemented in various forms, and its scope is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, if the modified embodiment includes elements of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be regarded as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

Any or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not exclusive or distinct from each other. In certain embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above, each configuration or function may be used in combination or combined.

For example, this means that configuration A described in a particular embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with configuration B described in other embodiments and/or drawings. In other words, even if the combination between components is not directly explained, it means that combination is possible, except in cases where it is explained that combination is impossible.

The above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in any respect and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A housing including an upper plate, a lower plate disposed on the opposite side of the upper plate, and a side plate connecting the upper plate and the lower plate, and forming a space therein in which a fluid mixed with a refrigerant and oil flows;

a first separator disposed in the space of the housing and separating oil of a first size from the refrigerant;

a second separator disposed below the first separator and separating oil of a second size smaller than the first size from the refrigerant; and

A third separator disposed below the second separator and separating oil of a third size smaller than the second size from the refrigerant,

The oil separator sequentially flows through the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator.
According to paragraph 1,

The housing is disposed in the space of the housing and includes a first separation plate dividing a first separation space of the first separation unit and a second separation space of the second separation unit,

The first separator,

an inflow pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing and flowing a mixed fluid of the refrigerant and the oil into the first separation space of the first separation unit; and

An oil separator including a first connection pipe that penetrates the first separator and connects the first separator and the second separator.
According to paragraph 2,

The first separator includes a first discharge pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing,

An oil separator wherein the first discharge pipe is disposed at a lower position than the inlet pipe.
According to paragraph 2,

The first connector extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing,

An oil separator wherein one end of the first connection pipe is located at a higher position than the inflow pipe.
According to paragraph 2,

The first connector includes a first part disposed in the first separation space of the first separator and a second portion disposed in the second separation space of the second separator,

An oil separator wherein the length of the first portion of the first connection pipe is longer than the length of the second portion of the first connection pipe.
According to paragraph 1,

An oil separator wherein the housing is formed in a cylindrical shape.
According to paragraph 1,

The first separator includes an inflow pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing,

The oil separator wherein the inlet pipe extends from the side plate of the housing in a circumferential direction of the housing.
According to paragraph 2,

The first connection pipe is an oil separator coupled to the center of the first separator plate.
According to paragraph 1,

The housing is disposed in the space of the housing, and includes a first separator plate disposed in the housing and dividing the first separation space of the first separator and the second separation space of the second separator, and a first separator plate disposed in the housing and dividing the second separation space of the second separator. It includes a second separation plate dividing the second separation space and the third separation space of the third separation unit,

The second separator is an oil separator including a mesh plate disposed between the first separator plate and the second separator plate.
According to clause 9,

A first connector penetrating through the first separator plate and having one end disposed in the first separation space and the other end disposed in the second separation space is coupled to the first separator plate,

The mesh plate is an oil separator disposed at a lower position than the other end of the first connection pipe.
According to clause 9,

The second separator,

a second connection pipe penetrating the second separation plate and connecting the second separation space and the third separation space; and

It includes a second discharge pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing,

An oil separator wherein the second discharge pipe is disposed at a lower position than one end of the second connection pipe.
According to clause 11,

The second separator includes a third connector that penetrates the second separator plate and connects the second separator space and the third separator space,

An oil separator wherein the second connection pipe is spaced apart from the third connection pipe in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second connection pipe.
According to clause 11,

A first connection pipe passing through the first separator plate and connecting the first separator and the second separator is coupled to the first separator plate,

An oil separator wherein the first connection pipe does not overlap the second connection pipe in the longitudinal direction of the first connection pipe.
According to paragraph 1,

The third separator,

a charging unit that charges the oil particles in a fluid containing a mixture of the refrigerant and the oil; and

An oil separator comprising an oil collection unit disposed below the charging unit and collecting the charged oil particles.
According to clause 14,

The third separator,

a refrigerant recovery pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing; and

An oil separator including a third discharge pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing at a position lower than the refrigerant recovery pipe.
According to clause 14,

The charging unit includes a plurality of discharge electrodes, a plurality of ground electrodes disposed between the plurality of discharge electrodes, and a first power supply electrically connected to the discharge electrode and the ground electrode,

The discharge electrode is provided as a square-shaped plate electrode,

An oil separator wherein the ground electrode is provided as a wire electrode.
According to clause 16,

The collection unit includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes disposed between the plurality of first electrodes, and a second power supply electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode,

An oil separator wherein the first electrode is arranged to be stepped from the second electrode.
According to clause 17,

An oil separator wherein the gap between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode of the charging unit is smaller than the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode of the water collecting unit.
According to paragraph 1,

The refrigerant separated from the fluid mixed with the refrigerant and the oil flows in a first direction from the first separator toward the third separator,

An oil separator wherein the oil separated from the fluid mixed with the refrigerant and the oil flows in the first direction.
A housing including an upper plate, a lower plate disposed on the opposite side of the upper plate, and a side plate connecting the upper plate and the lower plate, and forming a space within which refrigerant and oil flow;

a first separator disposed in the space of the housing and separating oil of a first size from the refrigerant;

a second separator disposed below the first separator and separating oil of a second size smaller than the first size from the refrigerant;

a third separator disposed below the second separator and separating oil of a third size smaller than the second size from the refrigerant;

a first separator disposed in the space of the housing and dividing a first separation space of the first separator and a second separation space of the second separator; and

It includes a second separator disposed on the first separator and dividing a second separation space of the second separator and a third separation space of the third separator,

The first separator is coupled to the side plate of the housing and is connected to an inflow pipe that introduces a fluid mixed with the refrigerant and the oil into the first separation space of the first separator,

An oil separator in which a refrigerant recovery pipe coupled to the side plate of the housing and discharging the refrigerant separated from the fluid is connected to the third separator.
According to clause 20,

The first separator includes a first connection pipe penetrating the first separator plate,

The second separator includes a mesh plate disposed between the first separator and the second separator,

The third separator is an oil separator including a charging unit that charges the oil particles in a fluid mixed with the refrigerant and the oil, and a water collection unit that is disposed below the charging unit and collects the charged oil particles.