ACCUMULATOR AND REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS
20230106373 · 2023-04-06
Inventors
Cpc classification
B01D45/16
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F25B43/006
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B01D45/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
F25B43/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B01D45/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
An accumulator is an accumulator disposed between an evaporator and a refrigerant suction port of a compressor in a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus. The accumulator includes: a container; an inflow pipe having a first opening end disposed in the container, the inflow pipe introducing, into the container, refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator; and an outflow pipe having a second opening end disposed in the container, the outflow pipe supplying refrigerant in the container to the compressor. The container includes an inner circumferential surface that extends along a vertical direction and a circumferential direction, and a concave surface that is concave with respect to the inner circumferential surface and extends along the circumferential direction. A part of the concave surface in the circumferential direction is disposed to face the first opening end.
Claims
1. An accumulator disposed between an evaporator and a suction port of a compressor in a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, the accumulator comprising: a container; an inflow pipe having a first opening end disposed in the container, the inflow pipe being a pipe for refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator to flow into the container; and an outflow pipe having a second opening end disposed in the container, the outflow pipe being a pipe for refrigerant in the container to flow out to the suction port of the compressor, the container including an inner circumferential surface that extends along a vertical direction and a circumferential direction, and a concave surface that is concave with respect to the inner circumferential surface and extends along the circumferential direction, a part of the concave surface in the circumferential direction being disposed to face the first opening end, the inflow pipe includes a bent pipe portion extending along the concave surface in the container, the bent pipe portion has the first opening end, and a portion of the first opening end located on the most outer circumferential side in a radial direction of the container is disposed in a space surrounded by the concave surface and located outside of the inner circumferential surface.
2. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the concave surface includes: a first inclined surface extending along the circumferential direction and inclined outward as the first inclined surface extends downward; and a second inclined surface extending along the circumferential direction and inclined inward as the second inclined surface extends downward, the first inclined surface is disposed above the second inclined surface, and a lower end of the first inclined surface is continuous to an upper end of the second inclined surface.
3. The accumulator according to claim 2, wherein each of cross-sectional shapes of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface that are perpendicular to the circumferential direction has an arc shape.
4. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the second opening end is disposed above the concave surface.
5. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the concave surface is formed helically.
6. (canceled)
7. The accumulator according to claim 16, wherein the first opening end is inclined toward the concave surface side with respect to a radial direction of the container, when viewed from the vertical direction.
8. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the concave surface is disposed above a center of the inner circumferential surface in the vertical direction.
9. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein a width of the concave surface in the vertical direction is wider than a maximum width of the first opening end.
10. A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: the compressor; the evaporator; and the accumulator as recited in claim 1.
11. The accumulator according to claim 2, wherein the second opening end is disposed above the concave surface.
12. The accumulator according to claim 3, wherein the second opening end is disposed above the concave surface.
13. The accumulator according to claim 2, wherein the concave surface is formed helically.
14. The accumulator according to claim 3, wherein the concave surface is formed helically.
15. The accumulator according to claim 4, wherein the concave surface is formed helically.
16. The accumulator according to claim 2, wherein the first opening end is inclined toward the concave surface side with respect to a radial direction of the container, when viewed from the vertical direction.
17. The accumulator according to claim 3, wherein the first opening end is inclined toward the concave surface side with respect to a radial direction of the container, when viewed from the vertical direction.
18. The accumulator according to claim 4, wherein the first opening end is inclined toward the concave surface side with respect to a radial direction of the container, when viewed from the vertical direction.
19. The accumulator according to claim 5, wherein the first opening end is inclined toward the concave surface side with respect to a radial direction of the container, when viewed from the vertical direction.
20. The accumulator according to claim 2, wherein the concave surface is disposed above a center of the inner circumferential surface in the vertical direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.
First Embodiment
[0029] <Configuration of Refrigeration Cycle Apparatus>
[0030] As shown in
[0031] Compressor 101 includes a discharge port through which the refrigerant is discharged, and a suction port through which the refrigerant is suctioned. Decompressing apparatus 104 is, for example, an expansion valve. Accumulator 10 includes an inflow pipe 11 into which the refrigerant flows, and an outflow pipe 12 from which the refrigerant flows out. Outflow pipe 12 is connected to the discharge port of compressor 101.
[0032] Four-way valve 102 includes a first port connected to the discharge port of compressor 101, a second port connected to inflow pipe 11 of accumulator 10, a third port connected to outdoor heat exchanger 103, and a fourth port connected to indoor heat exchanger 105. Four-way valve 102 is provided to perform switching between a first state in which outdoor heat exchanger 103 functions as a condenser and indoor heat exchanger 105 functions as an evaporator, and a second state in which indoor heat exchanger 105 functions as a condenser and outdoor heat exchanger 103 functions as an evaporator. When refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is an air conditioner, the first state is implemented at the time of cooling operation and the second state is implemented at the time of heating operation. In the first state and the second state, accumulator 10 is disposed between an evaporator and the suction port of compressor 101, and a flow direction of the refrigerant in accumulator 10 is constant.
[0033] <Configuration of Accumulator>
[0034] As shown in
[0035] Inflow pipe 11 is a pipe for gas-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator to flow into container 13. Inflow pipe 11 has a first opening end 11E disposed in container 13. Inflow pipe 11 includes, for example, a first pipe portion 11A extending along the vertical direction and passing through an upper surface portion of container 13, and a second pipe portion 11B connected to a lower end of first pipe portion 11A and extending in a direction that crosses the vertical direction. In other words, inflow pipe 11 includes a bent portion in container 13. In this case, second pipe portion 11B has first opening end 11E. Inflow pipe 11 may, for example, pass through the side surface portion of container 13.
[0036] Outflow pipe 12 is a pipe for gas-phase refrigerant in container 13 to flow out to the suction port of compressor 101. Outflow pipe 12 has a second opening end 12E disposed in container 13. When viewed from above, outflow pipe 12 is, for example, formed symmetrically to first pipe portion 11A of inflow pipe 11 with respect to a central axis of container 13 extending in the vertical direction.
[0037] As shown in
[0038] As shown in
[0039] As shown in
[0040] As shown in
[0041] As shown in
[0042] As shown in
[0043] As shown in
[0044] As shown in
[0045] As shown in
[0046] <Function and Effect>
[0047] In accumulator 10, gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into container 13 through first opening end 11E of inflow pipe 11. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant having flown into container 13 collides with a part of concave surface 15 in the circumferential direction that is disposed to face first opening end 11E, and then, swirls in the circumferential direction on concave surface 15 under the centrifugal force. In this state, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant includes gas-phase refrigerant and liquid-phase refrigerant that is present as droplets in the gas-phase refrigerant. The centrifugal force and gravity force that act on the liquid-phase refrigerant having a high density are greater than the centrifugal force and gravity force that act on the gas-phase refrigerant having a low density. Therefore, when the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows on concave surface 15 along the circumferential direction, gas-liquid separation is implemented.
[0048] The liquid-phase refrigerant (droplets) having collided with first inclined surface 15A that faces first opening end 11E flows on first inclined surface 15A in the circumferential direction. The liquid-phase refrigerant flowing on first inclined surface 15A in the circumferential direction flows downward gradually under the action of centrifugal force and gravity force, and reaches the lower end of first inclined surface 15A. A flow velocity of the liquid-phase refrigerant decreases while the liquid-phase refrigerant is flowing on concave surface 15, and thus, the centrifugal force that acts on the liquid-phase refrigerant also decreases gradually. As a result, the liquid-phase refrigerant flowing on first inclined surface 15A in the circumferential direction finally reaches second inclined surface 15B under the action of gravity force.
[0049] The liquid-phase refrigerant having collided with second inclined surface 15B that faces first opening end 11E and the liquid-phase refrigerant having flown from first inclined surface 15A to second inclined surface 15B flow on second inclined surface 15B in the circumferential direction while relatively large centrifugal force is acting.
[0050] However, with the decrease in flow velocity, the liquid-phase refrigerant flows downward and finally reaches inner circumferential surface 14 disposed below second inclined surface 15B under the action of gravity force.
[0051] The liquid-phase refrigerant having reached inner circumferential surface 14 flows downward along inner circumferential surface 14 and stays in container 13.
[0052] In this way, in accumulator 10, the liquid-phase refrigerant that is present as droplets is separated and removed from the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and only the gas-phase refrigerant flows out from outflow pipe 12 to the outside of accumulator 10.
[0053] Therefore, accumulator 10 can suppress an outflow of the liquid-phase refrigerant with a relatively simple configuration.
[0054] In accumulator 10, the lower end of first inclined surface 15A is continuous to the upper end of second inclined surface 15B. Therefore, the efficiency of gas-liquid separation is higher, as compared with when the lower end of first inclined surface 15A is not continuous to the upper end of second inclined surface 15B.
[0055] In accumulator 10, second opening end 12E is disposed above concave surface 15. Therefore, the droplets are less likely to flow into second opening end 12E, as compared with when second opening end 12E is disposed below concave surface 15.
[0056] In refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 including accumulator 10, an outflow of the liquid-phase refrigerant from accumulator 10 to compressor 101 is suppressed. Therefore, dilution of a refrigeration oil in compressor 101 by the liquid-phase refrigerant is less likely to occur, and burning of a sliding portion of compressor 101 is suppressed. As a result, refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 shows high reliability.
Second Embodiment
[0057] As shown in
[0058] Concave surface 15 includes a first portion 15C disposed to face first opening end 11E, a second portion 15D that is continuous to first portion 15C and is formed to extend downward with increasing distance from first portion 15C in the circumferential direction, and a third portion 15E that is continuous to second portion 15D and is formed to extend downward with increasing distance from a lower end of second portion 15D in the circumferential direction. Each of first portion 15C, second portion 15D and third portion 15E includes first inclined surface 15A and second inclined surface 15B. First inclined surface 15A and second inclined surface 15B are continuous in each of first portion 15C, second portion 15D and third portion 15E.
[0059] As shown in
[0060] Since accumulator 10A is configured basically similarly to accumulator 10, accumulator 10A can produce an effect similar to that of accumulator 10.
[0061] In accumulator 10A, the liquid-phase refrigerant flows downward under the action of centrifugal force in addition to the action of gravity force. Therefore, the efficiency of gas-liquid separation is higher than that of accumulator 10.
Third Embodiment
[0062] As shown in
[0063] Bent pipe portion 11C is, for example, formed by at least a part of above-described second pipe portion 11B. Bent pipe portion 11C has first opening end 11E. As shown in
[0064] As shown in
[0065] A portion of first opening end 11E located on the most outer circumferential side in the above-described radial direction is, for example, disposed in a space surrounded by concave surface 15 and located outside of inner circumferential surface 14.
[0066] When viewed from the vertical direction, first opening end 11E is, for example, disposed between outflow pipe 12 and concave surface 15. When viewed from the vertical direction, first opening end 11E is, for example, disposed to align with a center of outflow pipe 12 in the above-described radial direction. A shortest distance between a portion of first opening end 11E located on the outer circumferential side in the above-described radial direction and concave surface 15 is shorter than a shortest distance between a portion of first opening end 11E located on the inner circumferential side in the above-described radial direction and concave surface 15.
[0067] Since accumulator 10B is configured basically similarly to accumulator 10, accumulator 10B can produce an effect similar to that of accumulator 10.
[0068] In accumulator 10B, gas-liquid separation is also performed in bent pipe portion 11C of inflow pipe 11 prior to gas-liquid separation on concave surface 15.
[0069] Therefore, in accumulator 10B, the efficiency of gas-liquid separation is higher than that of accumulator 10.
[0070] Specifically, in bent pipe portion 11C of inflow pipe 11, the liquid-phase refrigerant gradually flows outside in the above-described radial direction under the action of centrifugal force, and flows into container 13 from the portion of first opening end 11E located on the outer circumferential side in the above-described radial direction. In contrast, as compared with the liquid-phase refrigerant, the gas-phase refrigerant flows inside in the above-described radial direction under the action of centrifugal force, and flows out to container 13 from the portion of first opening end 11E located on the inner circumferential side in the above-described radial direction.
[0071] Furthermore, the shortest distance between the portion of first opening end 11E located on the outer circumferential side in the above-described radial direction and concave surface 15 is shorter than the shortest distance between the portion of first opening end 11E located on the inner circumferential side in the above-described radial direction and concave surface 15. Therefore, the liquid-phase refrigerant is more likely to collide with concave surface 15 than the gas-phase refrigerant. As a result, in accumulator 10B, gas-liquid separation on concave surface 15 is also further promoted than in accumulator 10.
[0072] Accumulator 10B may be configured basically similarly to accumulator 10A according to the second embodiment, and accumulator 10B may be different from accumulator 10A in that inflow pipe 11 includes bent pipe portion 11C extending along concave surface 15 in container 13. Namely, concave surface 15 of accumulator 10B may be formed helically.
Fourth Embodiment
[0073] As shown in
[0074] As shown in
[0075] Since accumulator 10C is configured basically similarly to accumulator 10B, accumulator 10C can produce an effect similar to that of accumulator 10B.
[0076] In accumulator 10C, first opening end 11E is inclined toward the concave surface 15 side with respect to the radial direction of container 13, when viewed from the vertical direction. Therefore, in accumulator 10C, inner circumferential portion 11E1 can suppress scattering of the droplets to the inside of inner circumferential portion 11E1, even when the liquid-phase refrigerant having flown out from above-described outer circumferential portion 11E2 collides with concave surface 15 and scatters. As a result, in accumulator 10C, gas-liquid separation on concave surface 15 is also further promoted than in accumulator 10B.
[0077] Accumulator 10C may be configured basically similarly to accumulator 10A according to the second embodiment, and accumulator 10C may be different from accumulator 10A in that inflow pipe 11 includes bent pipe portion 11C extending along concave surface 15 in container 13. Namely, concave surface 15 of accumulator 10C may be formed helically.
[0078] <Modification>
[0079] Although the imaginary straight line passing through the center of first opening end 11E and extending along the direction perpendicular to first opening end 11E is along the horizontal direction in each of accumulators 10 to 10C according to the first to fourth embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In each of accumulators 10 to 10C, above-described imaginary straight line C may, for example, be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. As shown in
[0080] Although only one concave surface 15 is formed in each of accumulators 10 to 10C according to the first to fourth embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In each of accumulators 10 to 10C, a plurality of concave surfaces 15 may be formed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Each concave surface 15 may only be formed as concave surface 15 in any of accumulators 10 to 10C.
[0081] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the above-described embodiments can also be modified variously. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the terms of the claims and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.